Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Growth is considered as an important concern in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). It is a group of recessive autosomal disorder which may develop due to genes mutation. In childhood, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is considered as the most common inherited adrenal disorder. CAH can negatively affect the synthesis pathway of cortisol which leads to decrease cortisol level and a rise in the production of adrenocorticotrophic hormone. A high level of adrenocorticotropic hormone and a low level of cortisol in the body may result in early closure of epiphyseal and affects growth of the body. In this study we aimed to assess the growth characteristics in children diagnosed with congenital adrenal hyperplasia presenting at public sector hospital.

Methods: This descriptive study was conducted at public sector hospital, Karachi from November 2018 to May 2019. All patient of age between 5 to 15 years presenting with congenital adrenal hyperplasia were included by using non-probability consecutive sampling. However children with neural tube defects, Downs’s syndrome and Horner’s syndrome were excluded from the study.

Result: In this study 69 children with CAH were included. Out of which 41 (59.4%) were male. Mean age of children in our study was 7.40±2.40. Approximately, 53 (76.8%) children suffered from short stature. Furthermore, children who were underweight constituted 19 (27.5%), overweight 10 (14.5%) and obese 34 (49.3%) of the population.

Conclusion: Our study reveals that congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) significantly affects the growth characteristics in children. Regular follow-up, close monitoring and targeted therapy is required for all children diagnosed with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Keywords: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, growth, Children, Short stature, Body mass Index.