Normal Bone Mineral Content in Young Adults with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia due to 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency

Abstract

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.