[Partial deficiency of 21-hydroxylase: a cause of hirsutism].
OBJECTIVE
Presentation of two clinical cases of partial deficiency in hydroxylase 21 (PD in H21), examination of their clinical characteristics and discussion on the value of diagnostic hormonal determinations.


METHODS
Narón health centre, La Coruña.


METHODS
Two clinical cases who attended our centre in 1991 and 1992 because of the appearance of facial hair and facial acne, respectively.


RESULTS
Basal determinations of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S), 4-androstendion (A), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-HP), free testosterone (T-1), LH and FSH were performed. The first four were then also determined after an injection of 0.25 mg of ACTH. According to the findings, the first case was a clear PD in H21, whereas the second was a light form of the disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
PD in H21 accounts for a considerable percentage of patients who attend because of hirsutism. For its diagnosis it is advisable to perform a stimulation test with ACTH and then obtain the 17-HP levels, along with the increment, 30 minutes after the injection. The levels should be triple that of the values for normal women.
Campos López-Carrión
M
M
Centro de Salud de Narón, La Coruña.
Caeiro Castelao
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000312:Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
Deficiencia parcial de 21-hidroxilasa: una causa de hirsutismo.