Congenital
Adrenal Hyperplasia
in the Newborn
The Leo Fung Center for CAH and Disorders of Sex Development
Contents
Introduction 1
What is congenital adrenal hyperplasia? 1
Types of CAH 3
Diagnosing CAH in newborns 4
Treating CAH 5
Untreated CAH 7
CAH in children and young adults 8
Frequently asked questions 9
Glossary 11
Resources 13
Acknowledgments 14
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in the Newborn 1
Introduction
This handbook will provide you and your family information about congenital adrenal
hyperplasia (CAH). While this guide will not answer all of your questions, it will provide basic
medical facts that will help you to talk to your doctors.
It is important to know that CAH cannot be cured but it can be treated. Your child will need to
take medicine for the rest of his or her life. If your child takes this medicine, he or she should
have a completely normal life in every way.
Successful treatment requires teamwork between you and your doctor. The doctor will monitor
your child in order to know what dose of medicine is needed. We ask that you give your baby
the medication on the schedule recommended by your doctor.
Your family is not alone. The Leo Fung Center for CAH and Disorders of Sex Development
(DSD) at University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital, provides a large network of
support, including medical specialists, therapists and counselors who all have expertise in caring
for patients with CAH.
What is congenital adrenal hyperplasia?
Let’s begin by examining each word.
• Congenital means existing at birth (inherited).
• Adrenal means that the adrenal glands are involved. These glands are located above the
kidneys. The adrenal glands produce three important hormones - cortisol, aldosterone and
androgen. Each of these hormones has an important job in the body.
• Hyperplasia means an abnormal increase in the number of cells that make up an organ or
tissue. This causes the organ or tissue to enlarge.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in the Newborn 2
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, then, is an inherited disorder that affects the production of
certain hormones and causes the adrenal glands to become too big (hyperplastic).
Hormones involved in CAH
Cortisol (stress hormone): Helps control blood pressure,
blood sugar and heart function. The body uses more cortisol
during times of stress, injury and infection. Not having enough
cortisol can be life threatening because it can lead to shock
(dangerously low blood pressure), which is also known as an
‘‘adrenal crisis.’’
Aldosterone (salt-saving hormone): Helps balance water,
sodium and potassium in the body. Without enough aldosterone,
the body can’t hold on to sodium and water.
Androgens (male hormones, such as testosterone): Both
males and females have androgens. A male fetus needs androgens
for normal genital development.
However, a female fetus should not have androgens or her
genitals may not form normally (they may become more male in
appearance).
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in the Newborn 3
Types of CAH
CAH may be ‘‘classical’’ or ‘‘non-classical.’’ Your doctor will tell you which form of CAH your
child has.
Classical CAH
In classical CAH, the body produces more androgens (male hormones) than it needs. At the
same time, there is too little cortisol (stress hormone) and sometimes too little aldosterone (salt
saving hormone). This type of CAH occurs in about 1 out of every 15,000 births.
There are two forms of classical CAH: salt-wasting and simple virilizing.
• Salt-wasting CAH is the more common------and severe------form. With salt-wasting CAH, too
much sodium and water are lost through urine, and the amount of potassium in the body
increases, causing dehydration (loss of fluids) and very low blood pressure.
• Simple-virilizing CAH does not cause the body to lose sodium and water. Therefore, it is
less severe than salt-wasting CAH. Like salt wasters, simple virilizers produce too many
androgens.
Both salt-wasting and simple-virilizing CAH patients may develop an ‘‘adrenal crisis’’ during
periods of physical stress (illness, surgery or trauma). This is a life-threatening situation and
urgent medical care is needed.
Diagnosis in girls:
In girls, both kinds of classical CAH tend to be detected at birth because the genitals may not
look normal. (Often they look more like boys’ genitals.) This is because their adrenal glands
produced too many androgens (male hormones) in the womb. A typical female fetus does not
produce this many androgens.
Diagnosis in boys:
In the male fetus, the testes already produce androgens. So if a few more androgens come from
the adrenal glands, the genitals may look only slightly different at birth. (The scrotum may be
more brownish in color, and the penis may be a little larger). Newborn screening is of particular
value in boys, because they have no outward signs of the disease, and yet are at risk of "adrenal
crisis" which can be prevented by early diagnosis and medical treatment.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in the Newborn 4
Non-classical CAH
Non-classical CAH (NC-CAH) is milder than classical CAH. It is often referred to as “late-
onset” CAH, because symptoms do not appear until later in life. Currently, this type of CAH is
not detected through newborn screening of infants.
Newborns with NC-CAH do not have genital changes. Instead, the disease is diagnosed when
the effects of excess androgen appear in childhood (rapid growth, early puberty) or during the
teenage or adult years (too much face and body hair, severe acne, irregular periods).
Diagnosing CAH in newborns
Most babies with classical CAH will be
identified through Newborn Screening.
All states, including Minnesota, perform
Newborn Screening for CAH. This
simple blood test is done when the baby is
24 to 48 hours old.
Your doctor may recommend other tests
(hormones, electrolytes) to confirm the
Newborn Screening result of CAH. Later,
your doctor may recommend genetic
(DNA) tests. This requires another blood
test. Family members may have this test as
well. In fact, it is important for both male
and female family members to be tested if
they are thinking about having a baby.
The genetic test for CAH may provide
information that is useful for the doctor in
caring for the baby’s health.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in the Newborn 5
Treating CAH
Treatment involves replacing hormones that the body cannot produce itself and keeping the
body from making too much of other hormones. This means your child will need to take
medicine regularly for the rest of his or her life.
While this appears simple, long-term success requires teamwork between your family and your
doctors. You will need to:
• Make sure that your child takes the medicine faithfully.
• Keep all appointments with your child’s doctors.
• See a pediatric endocrinologist (a children’s doctor who specializes in hormones) to make
sure the medicine is working.
Because each person is different, treatment is tailored to each patient. Your child will need to
take medicine two to three times a day. This will ensure that your child maintains normal energy
levels, the right balance of sodium and water, and normal growth and development.
Medicines
There are two kinds of medicines used to treat CAH. These medicines are steroids. They replace
the hormones that are not produced by the adrenal glands. Your doctor will tell you which
medicines are right for your child. They will need to be taken every day.
Children who have classical CAH need extra steroids during periods of increased physical stress.
(Emotional stress does not require extra medicine.) The extra dose of steroids is called a stress
dose. It can range from two to three times the normal daily dose depending on the severity of
the stress to the body.
Ask your doctor how much medicine to give in a stress dose. You may request a letter from your
doctor with specific instructions. Give this to the appropriate person at your child’s daycare
center, school or camp. You may also request an ‘‘emergency letter.’’ Give this to the doctor
treating your child during emergency room visits.
Do not be afraid to increase the medicine if you think your child needs a stress dose. A
single increased dose will never cause harm, even if it isn’t needed. Call your child’s
endocrinologist each time you give a stress dose. You should also feel free to call for advice at any
time.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in the Newborn 6
These are some of the times that a stress dose is needed:
During illness. Give your child a stress dose and then call the endocrinologist for any of the
following:
• A fever of 101°F (38.3°C) by rectum or 100° (37.8°F) under the arm.
• Diarrhea (loose, watery stools when your child has a bowel movement).
• Repeat vomiting (throwing up more than once). If this happens after giving your child
the medicine by mouth, give your child a shot of the medicine. Call the
endocrinologist and go the hospital right away. This is an emergency and needs to be
taken very seriously.
Let your endocrinologist know right away if your child is sick with fever, vomiting or diarrhea.
Major injury. If your child suffers a serious fall or broken bone, give your child a stress dose.
Then, call your endocrinologist.
Surgery. If your child will have general anesthesia (medicine to make the child sleep during
surgery), extra medicine is needed before, during and after the procedure. Make sure that the
surgical staff knows this and consults with your endocrinologist.
Competitive sports. Sports that result in a lot of physical stress may require a stress dose during
the competition. Again, ask your doctor what the right dose should be.
Regular doctor visits
Your child should see his or her endocrinologist every three to four months for blood tests, X-
rays and an exam. As your child gets older, he or she will not have to go to the doctor as often.
Emergency hydrocortisone kit
Make sure that you always have a hydrocortisone kit at home for
emergency use. This kit includes medicine you give with a syringe (a
shot). It can be life saving. Your doctor will write a prescription and
show you how to use it.
Your child should also wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace that
reads ‘‘Adrenal Insufficiency------on hydrocortisone.’’ You may also
wish to include the phone number for your endocrinologist.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in the Newborn 7
Psychological counseling and support
With any lifelong condition, family counseling is helpful. Counseling should begin as soon as
the diagnosis is made. It will also help to meet with other families who have a child with CAH.
Parents may feel a range of emotions when learning about their child’s CAH, from shock and
confusion to shame, anxiety, anger and sadness. Addressing these feelings will help the family
accept the diagnosis and act in the child’s best interest.
At times, people with CAH may struggle with shame and low self-esteem as a result of ‘‘being
different.’’ Parents and other adults will need to normalize the experience and provide emotional
support and information. Contact with other people who have CAH is very helpful in turning
shame into acceptance.
Other challenges may include body image concerns, insecurity with dating and sexuality, and
concerns about possible infertility. All of this requires the support of parents, peers and health
professionals. Specialized counseling may be useful throughout the person’s life.
Surgery
In cases of some females with CAH, a question may arise about possible surgery to change the
look of the child’s genitals. Patients and parents should make this decision with the help of a
psychologist and surgeon. Your doctor should offer you detailed medical information and all
available options.
Untreated CAH
If your child does not take his or her medicine, it may lead to:
• Increased risk of a life-threatening adrenal crisis (in classical CAH).
• Entering puberty too early.
• Rapid growth in childhood and reduced height as an adult (because growth stops early).
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in the Newborn 8
• Unwanted body changes in females (excess body and facial hair, hair loss from the scalp,
acne, enlarged clitoris, and irregular periods).
• Difficulty in having children (for both men and women).
• Tumors in the testicles for males and ovaries for females.
• Pituitary tumors in both males and females.
• Ovarian cysts in females.
CAH in children and young adults
Your child needs to be carefully watched
for signs of early puberty and rapid
growth. Early puberty is that which starts
before the age of 8 in girls and 9 in boys.
Signs include early pubic hair, early breast
development in girls and enlargement of
testicles in boys.
Rapid growth may affect your child’s
adult height. At first, the child will be
taller than other children of the same age,
but his or her final height will be reduced
because growth stops too soon.
Making sure your child takes his or her
medicine can prevent both early puberty
and reduced height.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in the Newborn 9
Frequently asked questions
At what age should I tell my child about his or her condition?
While there is no right or wrong age, it is important to always be honest and answer all of your
child’s questions. Telling the child is a gradual process. You will need to explain facts more than
once.
As part of doctor visits and daily medicines, a child may ask, ‘‘Why do the doctors take blood
from me every few months?’’ or ‘‘Why do I have to take this stuff?’’ These are excellent times to
discuss CAH.
Who else should know about my child’s CAH? How much should I tell
others?
Parents need to weigh the pros and cons of telling others. Telling too little leads to a sense of
secrecy, this can add to the parent’s feelings of shame. Telling too much could result in the child
being singled out, treated differently, and possibly teased and rejected by peers.
When your child is old enough, include the child in decisions about who should know outside
of the family, including school medical staff and daycare providers.
Will CAH affect my child’s height?
There are many factors that can affect a child’s growth. Regular doctor visits are important
because they help your doctor identify early warning signs of rapid growth, early puberty and
advanced bone age. All of these may lead to a reduced height as an adult.
Your doctor will do regular blood tests to check hormone levels, take X-rays of the hand to check
bone age, and chart your child’s growth and physical development. This allows your doctor to
prescribe the right treatment to help your child grow properly.
Is my child at an increased risk of infection because of being on steroids?
No. Some people who are on a high dose of steroids are at risk for infection because their
immune systems are suppressed. However, your child’s steroid dose will not harm his or her
immune function. Your child is given just enough steroids to replace the hormones that the
body should produce naturally.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in the Newborn 10
Can my child receive live vaccinations?
Yes. Your child can receive all the normal childhood vaccines.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in the Newborn 11
Glossary
Adrenal glands: Small glands located above each kidney that produce three important
hormones: aldosterone, cortisol and androgen (DHEA, androstenedione, testosterone).
Aldosterone: Salt-saving hormone, made by the adrenal cortex. It acts on the kidney to help
move salt from the urine back into the blood and to get rid of potassium.
Androgens: Male sex hormones that are made in the testes in males, ovaries in females and the
adrenal glands in both males and females.
Bone age: X-ray of the hand that determines the age of bones in comparison to the
chronological age.
Carrier: A person who has one out of two genes for an inheritable condition without being
affected by the condition.
Clitoris: A small, sensitive organ located above the vaginal opening. Androgens make it grow
larger.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH): An inherited disorder of the adrenal glands resulting
in insufficient cortisol production.
Cortisol: A steroid hormone made by the adrenal cortex. It maintains the body’s energy supply
and helps the body react to stress.
Estrogen: Female sex hormone, made by the ovaries in females and the adrenal glands in both
males and females.
Gene: A unit of heredity located on a chromosome. It transmits a characteristic from parent to
offspring.
Gland: Any organ or layer of cells that produces and secretes hormones.
Hormone: A chemical messenger made in a gland. Hormones are sent through the blood to
target body organs and tissues, stimulating certain life processes and stopping others as needed
by the body.
Ovaries: Female reproductive organs containing the eggs.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in the Newborn 12
Pituitary gland: The ‘‘master gland,’’ located in the brain. It regulates the thyroid, adrenal, sex
and mammary (breast) glands.
Recessive genetic disorder: A disorder that does not show symptoms in a person unless two
affected genes are inherited, one from each parent.
Salt wasters: Classical CAH patients who lack aldosterone (salt saving hormone). These
patients have insufficient cortisol and high androgens. This disorder is life threatening if left
untreated.
Simple virilizers: Classical CAH patients who have low cortisol and high androgens, but who
are not salt wasters. This is not a life threatening condition.
Testes: Two egg-shaped male reproductive organs located in the scrotum. They produce sperm
and the male hormone testosterone.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in the Newborn 13
Resources
Clinic Location:
The Leo Fung Center for CAH and Disorders of
Sex Development (DSD)
Pediatric Specialty Care Explorer Clinic
East Building, 12
th
Floor
2450 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Appointment: 612-365-6777
http://www.uofmchildrenshospital.org/Specialties/CAH/index.htm
Clinic Team:
Kyriakie Sarafoglou, MD
Dianne Berg, PhD
Jane Lewis, MD
Cindy Pham Lorentz, MS, CGC
Jane Torkelson, RN, MS
Nancy Vanderburg, PHN (MDH-NBS)
Minnesota Children and Youth with Special Health Needs
Minnesota Department of Health
85 East 7th Place
PO Box 64882
Saint Paul, MN 55164-0882
651-201-3757 or 1-800-728-5420
Email: health.mcshn@state.mn.us
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in the Newborn 14
Acknowledgments
Written by:
Kyriakie Sarafoglou, MD
The Leo Fung Center for CAH and Disorders of Sex Development (DSD)
Division of Pediatric Endocrinology
Division of Genetics and Metabolism
University of Minnesota Medical School
Drawings by:
Betsy Schwartz, MD
Pediatric Endocrinologist
Park Nicollet Medical Center
Special thanks to:
Nancy Vanderburg, Minnesota Department of Health
Walter O. Bockting, PhD, Program in Human Sexuality/Center for Sexual Health
Dianne Berg, PhD, Program in Human Sexuality/Center for Sexual Health
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in the Newborn funded in part by:
Robert A Ulstrom, MD (1913-2012)
Professor of Pediatrics
Founder of the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology
University of Minnesota Medical School
Mailing Address:
Dr. Kyriakie Sarafoglou
Pediatric Endocrinology
East Building MB671
2450 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
For informational purposes only. Not to replace the advice of your health care provider.
