Clinical Information

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of disorders caused by inherited defects in steroid biosynthesis, most commonly, 21-hydroxylase deficiency (approximately 90% of cases) and 11-beta hydroxylase deficiency (approximately 5% of cases). The overall incidence of CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency is approximately 1 in 15,000 live births. Individuals with CAH may present with life-threatening salt-wasting crises in the newborn period and incorrect sex assignment of virilized females, which occurs due to in utero exposure to reduced glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids and elevated 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) and androgens. Hormone replacement therapy, when initiated early, results in a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality. Therefore, newborn screening for CAH is desirable and has been implemented in all 50 states.

Immunoassays are typically used to quantify 17-OHP as a marker for CAH in the newborn screen setting. However, these immunoassays are hampered by cross-reactivity of the antibodies with other steroids, yielding a high rate of false-positive results. Tandem mass spectrometry allows for the simultaneous specific determination of 17-OHP and other steroids, such as androstenedione, cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol, and 21-deoxycortisol. Application of this technology to the determination of steroids in newborn blood spots significantly enhances the correct identification of patients with CAH and reduces the number of false-positive screening results when implemented as a second-tier analysis performed prior to reporting of initial newborn screen results.