Measuring Steroids in Hair Opens Up Possibilities to Identify Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in Developing Countries

The study involved 22 untreated Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) patients from Indonesia and 84 healthy volunteers from the Netherlands. It developed and validated a method to measure steroid concentrations in hair using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The results showed that this method could be a viable way to diagnose and monitor CAH, especially in developing countries where traditional serum measurements are challenging. The method also showed potential for reducing costs and logistical issues associated with long-distance transport of frozen samples. The study confirmed the stability of steroids in hair for at least 3 weeks at 4°C and 30°C. After starting glucocorticoid treatment, the levels of steroids in hair decreased. This method could open up access to healthcare in developing countries and remote areas for people with CAH.