Degree of Severity
The condition can be classified into "salt-wasting", "simple virilizing", and "non-classical" forms.
| Type | Sex steroid effects | Other effects |
|---|---|---|
| Severe 21-hydroxylase deficiency causes salt-wasting CAH | The most common cause of ambiguous genitalia due to prenatal virilization of genetically female (XX) infants. | Life-threatening vomiting and dehydration occurring within the first few weeks of life. Aldosterone and cortisol levels are both reduced. |
| Moderate 21-hydroxylase deficiency is referred to as simple virilizing CAH | Typically is recognized as causing virilization of prepubertal children. | Cortisol is reduced, but aldosterone is not. |
| Still milder forms of 21-hydroxylase deficiency are referred to as non-classical CAH | Can cause androgen effects and infertility in adolescent and adult women. | Neither aldosterone nor cortisol are reduced. |
The salt-wasting and simple virilizing types are sometimes grouped together as "classical".
Read more about this topic: Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Due To 21-hydroxylase Deficiency
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