Screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia in infertile women with high androgenemia during childbearing age

Objective The causes of infertility are complex and diverse, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is often overlooked in screening for infertility. In this study, CAH was diagnosed in women with high androgenemia who were infertile during childbearing age, and the diagnosis and treatment of CAH in pregnant women was investigated. Methods This study included 20 women with high androgenemia and infertility in the childbearing age who were referred to the Endocrinology Department after visiting the Reproductive Medicine Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from December 2016 to April 2019. All patients were tested for blood hormone levels, glucose, and lipid metabolism, underwent ACTH stimulation test, uterus and bilateral ovarian B-ultrasound, adrenal computed cosmography (CT), etc. Full-length sequencing of the CYP21A2 gene was performed as necessary. Results Among the 20 women with hyperandrogenism who were infertile, there were 7 cases of CAH (35.0%), including 6 cases of 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) confirmed by gene sequencing; 10 cases of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); 3 cases of idiopathic hyperandrogenemia (IHA). Sex hormone results showed that testosterone in CAH group was significantly higher than that in PCOS group and IHA group [(4.4±2.0 vs 2.9±0.4, 2.8±0.8) nmol/L, P 0.05]. However, the 17-OHP (60 min) in CAH group was significantly higher than that in PCOS group and IHA group [(200.1±80.8 vs 3.1±1.2, 3.4±0.2) ng/ml, P<0.05]. Glucocorticoid therapy was given to patients with CAH, and 4 patients had successful pregnancy. No clinical symptoms of CAH and external genital malformations were found in the offspring of patients who had been delivered. Conclusions The ACTH stimulation test is of great significance in the differential diagnosis of CAH, especially 21-OHD. Genetic testing helps to identify the type of mutation in CAH patients. On the one hand, glucocorticoid therapy may improve the pregnancy rate of CAH patients, on the other hand, it can help to reduce the status of maternal high androgen and avoid masculine manifestation of female offspring. Key words: Infertility; Hyperandrogenism; Congenital adrenal hyperplasia; ACTH stimulation test