Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

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Definition

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is a family of genetic conditions affecting your adrenal glands. It can interfere with normal growth and development in children — including normal development of the genitals. It affects both males and females.

In children and adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, the adrenal glands, a pair of walnut-sized organs above your kidneys, typically don't produce enough of the hormone cortisol. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia may also result in the adrenals manufacturing abnormal levels of two other classes of hormones — mineralocorticoids (for example, aldosterone) and androgens (for example, testosterone).

There are two major types of this disorder: classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, the more severe form of the disease affecting very young children; and nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a milder form that usually develops in late childhood or early adulthood.

Although congenital adrenal hyperplasia can be life-threatening, most people with it can lead normal lives with proper treatment.

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Symptoms