Raised 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels in congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) refers to autosomal recessive diseases resulting from deficiency of enzymes involved in the production of cortisol by the adrenal glands. This study was designed to determine the frequency of suspected congenital adrenal hyperplasia patients by evaluating the laboratory data of blood 17-OHP. The study was conducted at Chemical Pathology Section of Department of Pathology at the Aga Khan University, Karachi. The basic demographic data of 2282 subjects was recorded, screened for blood 17-OHP levels from January 2007 to December 2010. A cutoff of ³ 4 ng/ml was considered as suggestive of CAH. The results showed 17-OHP levels ³ 4 ng/ml were found predominantly among infants (14.4%) and in females (18.2%).