An inherited disorder involving an enzyme block in the adrenal glands. Females born with this condition frequently have masculinized genitals because of excess androgens exposure prenatally. In males, genital appearances are usually unaffected.
A condition caused by overproduction of male sex hormones, where boys show rapid sexual development and females develop male characteristics.
A condition, affecting both men and women, caused by the secretion of excess adrenal sex hormones, typically male sex hormones. Adrenogenital syndrome is generally caused by a tumor on the adrenal cortex (the outer layer of the adrenal glands). An affected woman will have masculine hair growth patterns (including excess facial hair and sometimes male-pattern hair loss), deepening of the voice, an enlarged clitoris, and a masculine appearance of the skin and muscles. When adrenogenital syndrome occurs in boys before puberty, rapid sexual development may occur at an abnormally young age. In adult males, testosterone may obscure the signs. In rare cases, the adrenal tumor may secrete female hormones, producing enlarged breasts in men.
Precocious sexual development and apparent masculinization in girls, caused by overproduction of hormones by the adrenal cortex in infancy.
An inherited condition, the adrenogenital syndrome — also known as congenital adrenal hyperplasia — affects about 1 baby in 7,500. The condition is present from birth and causes various enzyme defects as well as blocking the production of hydrocortisone and aldosterone by the adrenal glands. In girls the syndrome often produces virilisation of the genital tract, often with gross enlargement of the clitoris and fusion of the labia so that the genitalia may be mistaken for a malformed penis. The metabolism of salt and water may be disturbed, causing dehydration, low blood pressure and weight loss; this can produce collapse at a few days or weeks of age. Enlargement of the adrenal glands occurs and the affected individual may also develop excessive pigmentation in the skin.
A syndrome marked by abnormally early puberty in children, over masculinization in adults, virilism, and hirsutism, caused by the excessive production of adrenocortical hormones.
A medical condition resulting from excessive hormone production by the adrenal cortex. Symptoms in women may include excessive hair growth, weight gain, menstrual irregularities, and characteristics similar to those found in Cushing’s syndrome. In infants, this hormonal imbalance can lead to early onset of sexual development, manifesting as virilism and hirsutism. The condition may also give rise to Achard-Thiers syndrome.