Treatment and Follow-up of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Due to 21-hydroxylase Deficiency in Childhood and Adolescence

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by the deficiency of one of the enzymes involved in cortisol synthesis. More than 95% of the cases occur as a result of defects in the gene encoding 21-hydroxylase (CYP21A2). 21-hydroxylase deficiency has been divided into classical and non-classical forms. In the treatment of classical CAH, it is necessary to replace both glucocorticoid (GC) and mineralocorticoid hormones to prevent salt wasting crisis and reduce excessive corticotropin. In addition to biochemical measurements to evaluate the adequacy of GC and mineralocorticoid treatment; growth rate, body weight, blood pressure and physical examination should be evaluated regularly. There is insufficient data regarding the use of continuous slow-release or modified-release hydrocortisone (HC) preparations and continuous subcutaneous HC infusion, additional/alternative treatment approaches, and cell-based therapies and gene editing technology in children with CAH. GC therapy is recommended in children with inappropriately early onset and rapidly progressing pubarche or accelerated bone age progression, and in adolescents with non-classical CAH (NCCAH) who have overt virilization. In patients with NCCAH, stress doses of HC is recommended for major surgery, trauma, or childbirth but only if the patient has a suboptimal cortisol response to the adrenocorticotropic hormone test. Here, members of the ‘Adrenal Working Group’ of ‘The Turkish Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes’ present an evidence-based review with good practice points and recommendations for optimize treatment, and follow-up of children with CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency in the light of the most recent evidence.