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Dita Faulkner
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Adrenal Gland Disorders – Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

What is it?

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is a name for a group of related genetic conditions that affect the adrenal glands. Adrenal glands are a pair of walnut-shaped organs near the kidneys. Typically, with this condition, individuals do not manufacture enough of the hormone called cortisol. Babies to adults can be affected.

Causes and Symptoms

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is an inherited genetic defect that causes abnormal formation of the enzyme that assists the adrenal glands in making cortisol. If both parents have congenital adrenal hyperplasia or if both parents are carriers of the genetic defect, this increases the risk to the child. This inheritance pattern is called autosomal recessive. Cortisol, a hormone, has an important part in maintaining good blood pressure, blood sugars, energy level and the protection against stress on the body.

Now, let’s talk about symptoms. First, there are two main kinds of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. There is the classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia and nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia. With the classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, symptoms are more severe and are detected at infancy or in young children. The Mayo Clinics lists the symptoms as:

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