Adrenomedullary Function in Cohort of Brazilian Pediatric Patients with Classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Abstract

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia is a group of autosomal recessive disorders resulting from deficiency of enzymes essential for the synthesis of cortisol. Disease of the adrenal cortex, but there may be involvement adrenomedullary. Cortisol and epinephrine are directly related to the individual’s stress response. Lower values of epinephrine in children with congenital adrenal yperplasia could be related to increased clinical complications and hospitalizations rate. We evaluated the serum values of metanephrines and normetanephrines in children and adolescents with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia and primary hypothyroidism and possible correlations with disease and hospitalizations. Cross-sectional study involved 29 patients (10 simple virilizing and 19 salt-wasting), and control group of 28 patients with primary hypothyroidism (10 overt and 18 subclinical). There were no differences in age (p = 0.24) and metanephrine (p = 0.34) or normetanephrine values (p = 0.85) between groups.Hospitalization rate was higher in the cases than in the controls (51 x 12).We conclude the serum values of metanephrine and normetanephrine in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia were within the normal values of reference, with no significant difference of group with primary hypothiroidism. The number of hospitalizations in the case was high in relation to the control, mainly in salt-wasting.