Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Other Names: 

CAH

Summary

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) refers to a group of genetic conditions that affect the adrenal glands. These glands sit on top of the kidneys and are responsible for releasing various types of hormones that the body needs to function. Affected people lack an enzyme the adrenal glands need to make one or more of these hormones and often overproduce androgens (male hormones such as testosterone). For example, females with a severe form of the condition may have ambiguous genitalia at birth and if not properly diagnosed, develop dehydration, poor feeding, diarrhea, vomiting and other health problems soon after. People with milder forms may not be diagnosed with the condition until adolescence or adulthood when they experience early signs of puberty or fertility problems.

About Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Many rare diseases have limited information. Currently, GARD aims to provide the following information for this disease:

• Population Estimate:Fewer than 50,000 people in the U.S. have thisdisease.
• Symptoms:This section is currently in development.
• Cause:This disease is caused by a change in the genetic material (DNA).
• Organizations:Patient organizations are available to help find a specialist, or advocacy and support for this specific disease.
• Newborn Screening:This disease may be detected through newborn screening tests performed soon afterbirth.
• Categories:Genetic DiseasesEndocrine Diseases

Genetic Mutations

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is caused by genetic mutations, also known as pathogenic variants. Genetic mutations can be hereditary, when parents pass them down to their children, or they may occur randomly when cells are dividing. Genetic mutations may also result from contracted viruses, environmental factors, such as UV radiation from sunlight exposure, or a combination of any of these. Learn more about genetic diseases from the National Library of Medicine (NLM).

If you suspect you may have this disease, you may want to start collecting your family health history. Information such as other family members who have had similar symptoms, when their/your symptoms first appeared, or exposures to any potential disease-causing environmental factors should be discussed with your medical team. This tool from the Surgeon General can help you collect your family health history.

Autosomal Recessive

Autosomal means the gene involved is located on one of the numbered chromosomes. Recessive means that a child must inherit two copies of the mutated gene, one from each biological parent, to be affected by the disease. A carrier is a person who only has one copy of the genetic mutation. A carrier usually doesn't show any symptoms of the disease.

If both biological parents are carriers, there is a 25% their child inherits both copies of the mutated gene and is affected by the disease. Additionally, there is a 50% chance their child inherits only one copy of the mutated gene and is a carrier.

Learn more about inheritance patterns from the National Library of Medicine (NLM).

When Do Symptoms of Congenital adrenal hyperplasia Begin?

This section is currently in development.