title: 11beta-hydroxylase deficiency masked by alternative medicines.
abstract: A 3.5-year-old Vietnamese boy presented with precocious pseudopuberty, hypertension and a skin rash that was treated with Vietnamese medications for 6 weeks, with resolution. Serum androgen levels were prepubertal, adrenal ultrasound was normal but a large unknown abnormal peak was detected in the urine steroid profile. Cessation of medications disclosed elevation of plasma androgen and 11-deoxycortisol levels. The unidentified urine steroid profile peak disappeared and a tetrahydro-11-deoxycortisol peak was detected. This patient represents a difficult and challenging diagnosis of 11beta-hydroxylase deficiency. Careful evaluation of history and physical finding in the presence of apparent biochemistry discrepancy resulted in a correct diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Complex Biochemistry, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Ronda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Greaves
authors.forename: Preamrudee
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Poomthavorn
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zacharin
mesh_terms: D000312:Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000628:therapy*