From the Research
There are three main types of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH): Classic salt-wasting CAH, Classic simple virilizing CAH, and Non-classic CAH. Unfortunately, none of the provided studies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 directly address the question about the types of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH). However, based on general medical knowledge, the three main types of CAH can be described as follows:
- Classic salt-wasting CAH: the most severe form, causing both cortisol and aldosterone deficiency, requiring lifelong glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement.
- Classic simple virilizing CAH: causes cortisol deficiency but adequate aldosterone production, requiring glucocorticoid replacement only.
- Non-classic CAH: the mildest form, often not diagnosed until adolescence or adulthood, where treatment may not be necessary unless symptoms are present. All forms of CAH are caused by enzyme deficiencies in the adrenal steroid synthesis pathway, most commonly 21-hydroxylase deficiency, leading to reduced cortisol production and subsequent overproduction of adrenal androgens, causing varying degrees of virilization and other symptoms. Early diagnosis and appropriate hormone replacement are crucial for proper growth and development in affected individuals.