Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a relatively common autosomal recessive genetic disorder caused by congenital defects in enzymes required for corticosteroid synthesis. Due to the defect in corticosteroid synthesis, the body's endocrine regulatory center secretes excessive adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to increase the levels of these hormones. This leads to adrenal cortical hyperplasia and the secretion of excessive cortisol precursors, such as 11-deoxycortisol and adrenal androgens, resulting in a series of clinical symptoms. This disease is a class of disorders, including 21-hydroxylase deficiency, 11β-hydroxylase deficiency, 17-hydroxylase deficiency, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency, corticosterone methyl oxidase deficiency, and congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia.