Abstract
A mother at risk for 21-hydroxylase deficiency was treated with oral dexamethasone (0.5 mg 12 hourly) from early pregnancy, in an attempt to prevent in utero virilization in case of a female fetus. Fetal karyotype was 46,XX, and because of a possible intra HLA recombination, treatment was continued to term. The newborn had a modest virilization and hormonal studies confirmed the diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). This observation and review of the literature suggest that efficient prenatal treatment of CAH requires a higher and more frequent dosage of dexamethasone.
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Abbreviations
- AF:
-
amniotic fluid
- CAH:
-
congenital adrenal hypoplasia
- DHA:
-
dehydroepiandrosterone
- DHAS:
-
DHA sulphate
- Δ4 :
-
Δ4 androstenedione
- HLA:
-
human lymphocytic antigen
- OHP:
-
17α-hydroxyprogesterone
- Δ5 OHP:
-
17α-hydroxypregnenolone
- T:
-
testosterone
References
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Loeuille, G.A., David, M. & Forest, M.G. Prenatal treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia: Report of a new case. Eur J Pediatr 149, 237–240 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02106280
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02106280