Article Text
Abstract
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 11β-hydroxylase deficiency (11-BHD) and primary glucocorticoid resistance syndrome (PGRS) are two relatively uncommon causes of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-independent isosexual male precocity; PGRS, however, is considerably rarer than 11-BHD. Other than serum and urinary cortisol, which are elevated in PGRS and low/low–normal in 11-BHD, both of these conditions are indistinguishable by clinical, biochemical or radiological parameters. In 11-BHD, oxidation of 11-deoxycortisol (11-DOC) to cortisol is impaired, resulting in accumulation of 11-DOC and other cortisol precursors. 11-DOC shares structural homology with cortisol, and falsely elevated serum cortisol values are observed in older generation immunoassays (Siemens ADVIA Centaur) due to antibody cross-reactivity. 11-BHD, thus, may be misdiagnosed as PGRS. Structure-based cortisol assays are not widely available in low-income countries. Hence, immunoassays using highly specific antibodies against cortisol are required to ensure assay selectivity. Newer generation analysers probably are effective alternatives to liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry in conditions associated with 11β-hydroxylase defect.
- adrenal disorders
- congenital disorders
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Footnotes
Contributors SM, PPC, PCG and MB were involved in the diagnosis and management of the patient. PPC did the literature search. SM and PPC wrote the manuscript.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent for publication Parental/guardian consent obtained.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.