Characteristics of growth in children with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency during adrenarche and beyond

Context Patients with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) often fail to achieve their full growth potential. Adrenarche may accelerate bone maturation and thereby result in decreased growth in CAH. Objective To analyze the impact of growth during adrenarche on final height of adequately treated classic CAH patients. Design Retrospective, multi-center study. Setting Four academic pediatric endocrinology centers. Participants Fourty-one patients with classical CAH, born between 1990 and 2012. Main outcome measures We assessed skeletal maturation (bone age), growth velocity and (projected) adult height outcomes, and analyzed potential influencing factors, such as sex, genotype, and glucocorticoid therapy. Results Patients with classic CAH were shorter than peers (-0.4SDS±0.8SD) and their parents (corrected final height -0.6SDS±1.0SD). Analysis of growth during adrenarche revealed two different growth patterns: patients with accelerating bone age (49%), and patients with non-accelerating bone age compared to chronological age (BA-CA). Patients with accelerating BA-CA were taller than the normal population during adrenarche years (p=0.001) and were predicted to achieve a lower adult height SDS (-0.9SDS, 95%CI -1.3;-0.5) than non-accelerating patients when assessed during adrenarche (0.2SDS, 95%CI -0.3;0.8). Final adult height was similarly reduced in both accelerating and non-accelerating BA-CA groups (-0.4SDS, 95%CI -0.9;0.1 vs -0.3SDS, 95%CI -0.8;0.1). Conclusions Patients with and without significant bone age advancement, and thus differing height prediction during adrenarche, showed similar (predicted) final height when reassessed during pubertal years. Bone age alone should not be used during adrenarche as clinical marker for metabolic control in CAH treatment.

A Broken Pathway: Understanding Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in the Newborn

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive disorder that leads to the partial or complete deficiency of cortisol and aldosterone production from the adrenal glands. The lack of these key hormones can precipitate acute adrenal crisis during the newborn period. This disorder can further lead to the development of virilized female genitalia from exposure to increased levels of androgens during fetal development. Nonclassical CAH is a common autosomal disorder, affecting 1/200 live births. The classical form of CAH affects 1/10,000–16,000 live births. Infants affected by classic CAH manifest with severe complications and an increased mortality risk. Early identification of CAH is critical to prevent significant sequela of adrenal crisis and to support families of affected females as they work through decisions of gender assignment. Newborn and pediatric nurses, as well as advanced practice providers, should maintain an active working knowledge of CAH to identify affected individuals early, implement needed interventions, and support families through education.

Classic CAH Presenting in Adulthood: Experience From a Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern India

Classic CAH presenting in adulthood: Experience from a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia(CAH) is one of the most common genetic disorders transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. Of the various forms CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency is most common. Based on the clinical phenotype CAH can be classified as classic and non-classic form. It is very rare for classic CAH to present in adulthood. We describe 3 patients with classic CAH presenting in adulthood. Case 1: 21 year old female presented with complaint of not attaining menarche. She had features of virilisation t with a modified Ferriman Gallwey(FG) score of 18/36, pubic hair stage 4 and atrophied breasts. Genital examination revealed clitoromegaly (CI-100 mm2) with Prader stage 2. Biochemical evaluation revealed elevated levels of serum testosterone (257.2 ng/dl), 17-hydroxy progesterone(332 ng/ml), DHEAS(417 µg/dl) and PRA of 34ng/ml/hr. Case 2: 30 year old female presented with complaint of primary infertility for 5 years. She had history of delayed menarche at 20 years and oligomenorrheic cycles since last 10 years. On examination there was hirsutism with a modified FG score of 15/36, pubic hair stage 5 with atrophied breasts. Genital examination revealed symmetrical genitalia with nonpalpable gonads, clitiromegaly(CI=135mm2) and a single urogenital opening (Prader stage 3). Biochemical evaluation revealed elevated levels of serum testosterone (812ng/dl), 17-hydroxy progesterone (164.8 ng/ml), DHEAS (503 µg/dl) and PRA of 42ng/ml/hr. Case 3: 26 year old female presented with complaint of noticing excessive hair growth in androgen dependent areas. On examination there was short stature,modified FG score 16/36, pubic hair stage 5 with atrophied breasts. Genital examination revealed clitoromegaly (CI=75mm2) with Prader stage 2. Biochemical evaluation revealed elevated levels of serum testosterone (254.2 ng/dl), 17-hydroxy progesterone (351.8 ng/ml), DHEAS (296.2 µg/dl) and PRA of 30ng/ml/hr. Karyotype in all the three patients was 46,XX. All our patients had serum testosterone values in tumorous range, however imaging studies didnot reveal any evidence of malignancy in the adrenals except for occurrence of a single right adrenal nodule of size 2×2.1cm with precontrast HU of <10 and absolute contrast washout of >60% in case 2. Based on clinical and biochemical findings a diagnosis of classic CAH was made. They were started on corticosteroid and mineralocorticoid replacement. In all of the above three patients none of them had been evaluated for the presenting complaints prior to visiting our centre. Failure of implementation of neonatal screening for CAH in many centres in India and the social stigma associated with genital ambiguity are contributory to the delay in diagnosis of CAH.

Pitfalls of Prenatal Diagnosis guiding Postnatal Management in Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia(CAH)

Background: 21-hydroxylase deficiency is the most common form of CAH and is associated with a variety of clinical phenotypes (salt wasting SW, simple virilizing SV and non-classic NCCAH). Commonly, there is a strong genotype-phenotype correlation for SW and NCCAH, but this is less predictable with the SV forms. We present a case with prenatal diagnosis of classic CAH which demonstrated genotype-phenotype discordance. Clinical Case: Ex 39 weeker female born to non-consanguineous parents was prenatally diagnosed with CAH based on routine genetic screen. Mother was noted to be a carrier for Intron 2G and father was a carrier of p.I172N both known to be pathogenic variants on CYP21A2. At 23 weeks gestational age, DNA analysis revealed fetus was compound heterozygous for both mutations which is most commonly associated with either SV or SW phenotype. At birth, infant had mild edema of the labia majora which resolved; the clitoris was not enlarged. There was no genital virilization or urogenital sinus. Newborn screen sent at 15 hours of life:17 OHP 132 ng/ml, repeat on DOL 3:77 ng/ml and DOL 13:59.9 ng/ml. High dose cosyntropin stim test on DOL 3 at 0 min: Cortisol not done, 17 OHP 1279 ng/dl; 60 min: Cortisol 12.3mcg/dl, 17OHP 3394 ng/dl. DOL 5 at 0 min: Cortisol 2.7 mcg/dl, ACTH 164.5 pg/ml, 17OHP 803.7 ng/dl; 60 minute: Cortisol 7.6mcg/dl, 17OHP 5920 ng/dl. Using available 17OHP normograms, the infant’s stimulated 17 OHP levels were not consistent with classic CAH. Unstimulated testosterone on DOL 3: 25ng/dl, DOL 5: 14 ng/dl. Ultrasound showed adrenal gland thickness 4mm bilaterally (upper limit of normal). Hydrocortisone (HC) was started on DOL 5 at 35 mg/m2/day after the stim test. On DOL 7, HC was increased to 100 mg/m2/day; fludrocortisone 0.1 mg twice daily and NaCl 0.5 g/day were started (Na 131, K 6.5, plasma renin activity 80.2). Upon discharge (DOL 13), infant was on HC 35 mg/m2/day, Fludrocortisone 0.1mg twice daily and NaCl 2g/day. Doses were adjusted accordingly during outpatient follow up. Currently infant is 4 months of age, thriving and remains on HC 11.3 mg /m2/day, Fludrocortisone 0.05 mg twice daily and NaCl 750 mg daily. Postnatal genetic analysis confirmed prenatal genotype. Conclusion: In general, genotype-phenotype correlation has 80–90% concordance. However clinicians should be aware of genotype/phenotype discrepancies that exist in order to carefully guide postnatal management based on prenatal genetic analysis. Our patient’s 17-ohp was done by LC/MS, which is standard now for most specialized endocrine laboratories. However, the 17-ohp nomograms for CAH, which are frequently used for subtype categorization, are based on RIA levels. Further studies would be helpful in creating an updated normogram using LCMS specifically for the neonatal period, as confirmatory screening of CAH will become more common with the rise in parental prenatal carrier screening.

Real-World Evidence of Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Assumed Classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in the United States

Background: Classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive disorder, usually due to a deficiency in the 21-hydroxylase enzyme, that results in impaired cortisol synthesis and excess androgen production. Patients with classic CAH experience both disease-related features from excess androgens and treatment-related complications from the chronic, supraphysiologic use of glucocorticoids (GCs) often required for androgen control. This study was conducted to evaluate the demographics and clinical characteristics of adult and pediatric patients in the United States (US) with assumed classic CAH based on International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes, GC prescriptions, and medical claims. Methods: Analyses were based on longitudinal patient-level data from the Decision Resources Group Real World Evidence repository, which links medical claims, prescription claims, and electronic health records from >300 million US patients. Data were analyzed for patients aged ≥18 years (adult) and <18 years (pediatric) with assumed classic CAH based on ICD 9/10 codes associated with “adrenogenital disorders” and whose proportion of days covered with a GC in 2018–2019 was >75%. These patients were matched 1:3 with a control cohort based on age, gender, geographic region, and insurance type. Both assumed CAH and control cohorts had continuous coverage with at least 1 medical claim and 1 pharmacy claim in each year, 2018–2019. Results: Of 1,111 patients with assumed classic CAH, 778 were ≥18 years old (65% female; mean age [±SD], 43±17 years) and 333 were <18 years old (51% female; mean age [±SD], 11±4.7 years). Both adult and pediatric patients with assumed classic CAH were more likely than matched controls (adult N=2334; pediatric N=999) to experience events that could be related to chronic GC use, including infection (adult: 49.9% vs 37.3% [control]; pediatric: 49.5% vs 40.0%), weight gain (adult: 5.9% vs 2.5%; pediatric: 9.0% vs 2.6%), and moon face (adult: 44.0% vs 0.1%; pediatric: 37.8% vs 0.1%); all P<0.01 vs control. Adult patients were more likely than matched controls to experience acne (6.0% vs 3.6%), hirsutism (8.1% [47/508] vs 5.5% [84/1524]), and infertility (1.7% vs 0.4%); all P<0.01. Pediatric patients were more likely to experience pubertal development issues (10.5% vs 1.8%), acne (8.4% vs 5.1%), and advanced bone age (1.2% vs 0.1%); all P<0.05. Conclusions: Compared to matched controls, both adult and pediatric patients with assumed classic CAH had significantly more disease-related comorbidities and potential GC treatment-related conditions, indicating the challenges with current GC treatments. This study was limited by the assumed nature of classic CAH due to lack of a specific ICD code, but the combination of chronic GC use (>75% days) with the diagnosis code most likely used in these patients (adrenogenital disorder) supports the validity of this analysis.

Differentiating Between CAH and PCOS Using Hormone Levels and LC-MS/MS

Introduction: PCOS is one of the most common endocrine issues affecting women today, with almost 10% of women suffering from this condition. CAH is a rarer disease that affects both men and women at a rate of around 1:1000 people. The problem with these two disorders arises in the fact that variants of these conditions may have very similar clinical presentations. This makes a proper diagnosis and treatment protocol difficult. Both PCOS and CAH present with high androgens but differ in that the former usually presents with high cortisol/insulin resistance, and the latter with low cortisol and aldosterone. Another difficulty in diagnosis is due to CAH presenting itself in 4 variants; 21-hydroxylase deficiency, the most common with over 95% prevalence, 11-hydroxylase deficiency, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 deficiency, and 17α-hydroxylase deficiency. We have developed and validated an LC-MS/MS assay using a first morning saliva that measures a full panel of steroids necessary to clearly differentiate PCOS from all 4 variants of CAH. This full spectrum of steroids includes precursors of the active steroids (pregnenolone sulfate, DHEA, androstenedione) as well as parent steroids (progesterone, testosterone, estradiol, cortisol, aldosterone) and their precursors (17-OH progesterone) and downstream metabolites (11-hydroxycortisol, corticosterone) that differentiate PCOS from CAH and define the 4 variants of CAH. Clinical Case: We will present several example case reports showing that PCOS presents with high androgens and normal to high cortisol and aldosterone, and in sharp contrast, classic CAH presents with high androgens and 17-hydroxy progesterone, but very low steroids distal to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (i.e low 11-deoxycortisol, cortisol, cortisone, corticosterone, and aldosterone). In contrast the more rare variant of 11-hydroxylase deficiency shows a typical pattern of low cortisol and cortisone and elevated 11-deoxycortisol. 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 deficiency is extremely rare to see in an adult as most babies born with this condition do not survive. 17α-hydroxylase deficiency is also very rare but shows elevated progesterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, and aldosterone. For all these cases aldosterone can be tricky to interpret as there are multiple mechanisms at which aldosterone is produced and thus should not be used as a definitive marker for CAH.

Taking it with a Grain of Salt: A Woman with ‘PCOS’ and Infertility Diagnosed with Nonclassic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and a Large Renal Mass

Background: Clinical manifestations of Nonclassic CAH (NCCAH) in women may range from asymptomatic to hirsutism, oligo-menorrhea, or infertility. Testicular adrenal rest tumors are common in men with classic CAH though uncommon in NCCAH. In women with classic CAH, ovarian adrenal rest tumors are even rarer. 11–58% of patients with classic CAH will have at least one adrenal nodule but the prevalence is unknown in NCCAH (1). Clinical Case: A 34-year-old Hispanic woman was seen by reproductive endocrinology for evaluation of infertility. She had been unable to conceive for the past 7 years. She was diagnosed with PCOS by her PCP. She was referred to our clinic for further workup. The patient denied galactorrhea. Laboratory evaluation revealed prolactin 49.3 (< 20.0 ng/ml), TSH 2.290 (0.5–5.0 μU/mL), fT4 1.14 (0.9–2.3 ng/dL), total testosterone 92 (15 -70 ng/dL for women), DHEAS 361 (45 -270 µg/dL), 8 AM cortisol 20.0 (5–23 μg/dL), ACTH 59.0 (6–76 pg/ml), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) >2000 ng/dL, and A1c 5%. 24-hour urinary free cortisol was 26.4 (3.5–45 mcg/day). MRI of the pituitary did not show any adenoma. Pelvic ultrasound did not reveal any ovarian cysts. Cosyntropin stimulation test showed baseline 17OHP 1076 ng/dL, 30 minutes 8812 ng/dL, and 60 minutes 9452 ng/dL. She was begun on hydrocortisone and cabergoline. CT of the abdomen did not reveal any adrenal masses but showed mildly thickened adrenal limbs suggesting adrenal hyperplasia. A 4.5 cm exophytic enhancing mass on the left kidney was noted representing an adrenal rest tumor versus angiomyolipoma. Given the exophytic nature of the mass and increased risk of hemorrhage with angiomyolipomas greater than 4 cm, the patient was referred to urology and interventional radiology for radioembolization and possible biopsy of the mass. We are unsure if this renal mass is an angiomyolipoma or an adrenal rest tumor, which are uncommon in the kidneys. The patient was also referred for genetic counseling. Patients with CAH typically have CYP21A2 gene mutations, and the chance that a patient with NCCAH will have a child with classic CAH is reported to be 1 to 2% in two large cohort studies (2). Conclusion: This case is a reminder that evaluation of infertility/subfertility includes less common diagnoses, such as NCCAH. This genetic disorder is seen more frequently in certain ethnic groups, including Hispanics; and after diagnosis, patients should be referred to a genetic specialist. Additional abdominopelvic imaging should be considered in both men and women with a new diagnosis of NCCAH to evaluate for rare but clinically significant tumors. Reference: 1. Nordenström, A., Falhammar H. Diagnosis and management of the patient with non-classic CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency Eur J Endocrinol. 2019 Mar;180(3):R127-R145.2. Merke, D, Auchus, R Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Due to 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency. NEJM 2020;383:1248–61.

Late diagnosis of classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia: long-term consequences during adulthood

Summary Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of autosomal recessive disorders related to enzyme deficiencies in the adrenal steroidogenesis pathway leading to impaired corticosteroid biosynthesis. Depending on the extension of enzyme defect, there may be variable severities of CAH – classic and non-classic. We report the case of a 37-year-old male patient with a previously unknown diagnosis of classic CAH referred to Endocrinology evaluation due to class III obesity and insulin resistance. A high diagnostic suspicion was raised at the first Endocrinology consultation after careful past medical history analysis especially related to the presence of bilateral adrenal myelolipomas and primary infertility. A genetic test confirmed the presence of a variant of the CYP21A2 in homozygous with an enzymatic activity of 0–1%, corresponding to a classic and severe CAH form. Our case represents an unusually late definitive diagnose of classic CAH since the definition was established only during adulthood in the fourth decade of life. The missing diagnosis of classic 21 hydroxylase deficiency during infancy led to important morbidity, with a high impact on patients’ quality of life. Learning points Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) refers to a group of autosomal recessive enzyme disorders responsible for an impaired cortical adrenal hormonal synthesis. CAH may be divided into two major forms: classic and non-classic CAH. If untreated, CAH may be fatal or may be responsible for important multi-organ long-term consequences that can be undervalued during adulthood. Adrenal myelolipomas are associated with chronic exposure to high ACTH levels and continuous androgen hyperstimulation typically found in undertreated CAH patients. Testicular adrenal rest tumours (TART) and primary infertility can be the first manifestation of the disease during adulthood.

Design of a Phase 1/2 Open-Label, Dose-Escalation Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Gene Therapy in Adults With Classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) Due to 21-hydroxylase Deficiency Through Administration of an Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Serotype 5-Based Recombinant Vector Encoding the Human CYP21A2 Gene

The CYP21A2 gene, which encodes the 21-hydroxylase enzyme, plays a critical role in glucocorticoid (GC) and mineralocorticoid synthesis by the adrenal cortex. CYP21A2 pathogenic variants cause 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD), the most common type of CAH, characterized by variable degrees of adrenal insufficiency and androgen excess. Standard treatment of classic 21OHD consists of daily doses of GC and mineralocorticoid. However, suppressive GC doses are often required to reduce androgen excess, and it is often not possible to dose exogenous GC in a manner that provides adequate disease control while avoiding overtreatment. Disease-related and treatment-related comorbidities are common and include life-threatening adrenal crises, impaired growth and development during childhood, adult short stature, virilization in females, subfertility in both sexes, obesity and cardiovascular risk factors, and decreased bone mineral density. Novel treatment approaches are needed to address these challenges and a treatment that restores the ability of the adrenals to produce cortisol and aldosterone in a physiologically-regulated manner would be particularly helpful. Here we present the design and rationale of a clinical trial using BBP-631, an AAV5 gene replacement therapy for adults with classic CAH due to 21-OHD. This treatment approach is based on the demonstration that a single intravenous administration of BBP-631 corrects the enzyme deficiency in the H2-aw18 CYP21-/- CAH mouse model of 21OHD, including response to stress. This correction was robust, dose-dependent and durable. BBP-631 treatment also resulted in robust and durable expression of the human CYP21A2 transgene in the non-human primate adrenal cortex. BBP-631 appears to be safe and well-tolerated in mice with 21-OHD, healthy mice and non-human primates. Taken together, these data support initiating clinical trials in adults with classic CAH due to 21-OHD. The trial will sequentially enroll individuals in up to 3 successive dose-escalation cohorts. Each subject will receive a single dose of BBP-631 and safety will be assessed prior to dose escalation. Endogenous production rates of adrenal steroids (cortisol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione) will be determined pre- and post- dose, and their concentrations assessed over a 1-year period after which subjects will roll over into an extension study for at least 4 years. The Phase 1 study will determine the tolerability of a single dose of BBP-631. The magnitude and durability of BBP-631 and effects on adrenal steroids, ACTH and, where relevant, aldosterone levels will be monitored. The ability of BBP-631 to allow tapering of GC doses will also be explored. This first in human study of gene therapy for CAH represents a milestone in the development of novel and improved treatment approaches for patients with classic CAH.