Question
Pediatrics, how is congenital adrenal hyperplasia treated? My child was just born a month ago, and the 17α-hydroxyprogesterone level was found to be elevated. I want to know the normal values, possible symptoms, and consequences.
Answer
The 17α-hydroxyprogesterone level is an indicator for diagnosing and screening for congenital adrenal cortical hyperplasia in newborns. The normal value for males is approximately 0.70～3.6 ng/ml. Your baby’s elevated level may indicate congenital adrenal cortical hyperplasia, and further tests are needed for confirmation. If diagnosed, symptoms such as hypertension, hypokalemia, and electrolyte imbalance may occur, and it may also affect gender development.