Fertility and pregnancy outcome in women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

BACKGROUND

Low pregnancy rate has been reported in women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and little information on pregnancy and children is known.

METHODS

In a Swedish study, 62 adult women with CAH, aged 18-63 years, and 62 age-matched controls were followed-up. Medical records, including those concerning pregnancies and deliveries, were examined and the 21-hydroxylase genotype of patients was noted. All women answered a questionnaire concerning sexual and reproductive health including health of the children.

RESULTS

Pregnancy and delivery rates were significantly lower in women with CAH (P < 0.001, P < 0.0056, respectively), and the severity of the 21-hydroxylase-mutation correlated with the reduced number of children born. More women with salt-wasting CAH were single and had not attempted pregnancy. Pregnancies were normal except for a significantly increased incidence of gestational diabetes in CAH patients (P < 0.0024). The children had normal birthweight and no malformations were observed. A later follow-up of the children showed a normal intellectual and social development. The sex ratio of the offspring differed significantly, with 25% boys in the CAH group compared with 56% among controls (P < 0.016). CAH women had more gynaecological morbidity during menopause.

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnancy and delivery rates are reduced in women with CAH mainly due to psychosocial reasons. The outcome of children did not differ from controls. The unexpected sex ratio in children born to mothers with CAH warrants further research.