Normal bone mineral content in young adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency

Objective: To assess bone mineral content (BMC) and body composition in adolescents and young adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Methods: BMC, anteroposterior-projected bone area ( BA), bone mineral density, and fat mass percentage were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 18 patients aged 18 - 33 years ( 8 females and 10 males) with 21-hydroxylase deficiency using a Hologic QDR 1000/W densitometer. Results: BMC and bone mineral density for age were significantly reduced at - 1.2 standard deviation scores (SDS; range from - 2.8 to + 4.1) and - 1.1 SDS ( range from - 3.2 to + 2.6), respectively. The BA for height was significantly increased at + 1.7 SDS ( range from - 0.5 to + 4.8), and the BMC for BA was normal at 0.3 SDS ( range from - 2.0 to + 3.6). The median final height was significantly reduced at - 1.6 SDS ( range from - 5.6 to + 0.3), and the fat mass percentage was significantly increased at + 1.5 SDS ( range from - 1.0 to + 5.0). Conclusion: Our study population of young adults with 21-hydroxylase deficiency had a short stature and broad bones with a normal BMC and had an increased fat mass percentage. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel.