title: Detection of late-onset adrenal hyperplasia in girls with peripubertal virilization.
abstract: We investigated the value of serum levels of adrenal steroids (dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, testosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, cortisol) in the identification in peripubertal females with late-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia owing to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Among 68 females (age 3-18 years) with virilization in childhood, peripubertally or postpubertally, we selected 21 girls for an ACTH test by measurement of basal blood-spot or serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) levels. Eight of 21 patients had supranormal post-ACTH serum 17-OHP concentration (57-153 nmol/l) with low normal cortisol concentration. All of them had supranormal basal and post-ACTH 17-OHP to cortisol ratios. These data show a relatively high incidence (about 12%) of mild 21-hydroxylase deficiency among prepubertal and adolescent girls with virilization. It is concluded that the first step in the investigation of peripubertally virilized girls should be the determination of serum 17-OHP and cortisol. Patients with basal morning 17-OHP concentration and 17-OHP to cortisol ratio above reference range should be given an ACTH test.
mesh_terms: D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; D000293:Adolescent; D000312:Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003350:Cortodoxone / Q000097:blood; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones / Q000097:blood; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014770:Virilism / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones; D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003350:Cortodoxone