Neonatal Meningitis Together With 11-Beta Hydroxylase Enzyme Deficiency: A Case Report

Abstract

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is a disease which results in autosomal recessive transition with deficiency of the necessary enzymes for cortisole synthesis from cholesterol. The most frequently deficient enzyme is 21-hydroxylase and the second most common is 11-beta hydroxylase. A deficiency of 11-beta hydroxylase is seen in 5 -8% of congenital adrenal hyperplasia cases. An increase in androgyny develops depending on the clinical findings. Neonatal meningitis is an important central nervous system infection because of morbidity and mortality. Of all age groups, meningitis is most commonly seen in neonates. This study presents the case of a 20-day old baby who presented at our emergency department with neonatal sepsis and meningitis, then on physical examination was seen to have ambiguous genitalia and investigative tests resulted in a diagnosis of 11-beta hydroxylase deficiency.