Mass spectrometry: an essential tool to be used in discrimination between causes of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and its benefits versus radioimmunoassay

Abstract Background Measurement of multiple steroids, 17 hydroxyprogesterone, 11 deoxycortisol, and 21 is required to discriminate between congenital adrenal hyperplasia due hydroxylase deficiency that beta deficiency. This work aims at the selection more appropriate, cost-effective method among either mass spectrometry or radioimmunoassay for quantitation previous steroids. In this study, blood samples were collected from 31 patients newly diagnosed with hyperplasia; hydroxyprogesterone deoxycortisol assayed using tandem spectrometry. Eleven was 2 methods: Results Measuring could significantly those ( p = 0.002), whereas failed 0.095). Moreover, former highly predictive a cutoff ≥ ng/ml 100% sensitivity 92.3% specificity. Simultaneous measurement their enrollment in an equation yielded overall accuracy 96.8% diagnosis CAH both enzymatic deficiencies. Conclusions spectrometric approach mandated as part up differentiate types hyperplasia.