Scalp Hair 17-Hydroxyprogesterone And Androstenedione As A Long-Term Therapy Monitoring Tool In Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

The study evaluated the use of scalp hair steroid precursor concentrations as a tool for monitoring glucocorticoid replacement therapy in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). It involved 26 children with CAH, 12 patient controls with adrenal insufficiency (AI), and 293 healthy controls. Results showed that hair cortisol concentrations were higher in children with CAH compared to both healthy and AI controls. Strong correlations were found between scalp hair and serum/saliva concentrations of androstenedione and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP). Both 17-OHP and androstenedione levels were significantly higher in CAH patients than in healthy and AI controls. The study concluded that scalp hair 17-OHP and androstenedione concentrations were promising parameters for monitoring treatment in CAH patients.