# Non-classical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Presenting With Severe Androgenic Alopecia: A Case Report

**Authors:** Khalid Al Hawsawi, Hamazah Qul, Ameera A Alkhamesi, Sarah M Fageeh

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.79012 · 2025-02-14

## TL;DR

A 37-year-old woman with severe hair loss and acne was diagnosed with non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia and treated with prednisolone.

## Contribution

This case highlights NCCAH presenting with severe androgenic alopecia as a rare clinical manifestation.

## Key findings

- Elevated 17α-hydroxyprogesterone levels confirmed the diagnosis of non-classical CAH.
- Prednisolone treatment was initiated to manage symptoms and improve fertility outcomes.
- The patient exhibited hyperandrogenic symptoms despite normal menstrual cycles.

## Abstract

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive disorder with cortisol synthesis impairment, commonly due to CYP21A2 gene mutations. Non-classical CAH (NCCAH) presents with hyperandrogenic symptoms such as acne, hirsutism, severe androgenic alopecia, and infertility. We report a 37-year-old female who presented with severe acne, progressive hair loss, and primary infertility despite regular menstrual cycles. Laboratory tests were normal except for elevated 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP). Prednisolone was initiated to manage symptoms and address fertility.

## Linked entities

- **Genes:** CYP21A2 (cytochrome P450 family 21 subfamily A member 2) [NCBI Gene 1589]
- **Chemicals:** prednisolone (PubChem CID 5755), 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (PubChem CID 6238)
- **Diseases:** congenital adrenal hyperplasia (MONDO:0015898), acne (MONDO:0011438)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** CYP21A2 (cytochrome P450 family 21 subfamily A member 2) [NCBI Gene 1589] {aka CA21H, CAH1, CPS1, CYP21, CYP21B, P450c21B}
- **Diseases:** cortisol synthesis impairment (MESH:C535280), NCCAH (MESH:C535979), infertility (MESH:D007246), CAH (MESH:D000312), acne (MESH:D000152), Androgenic Alopecia (MESH:D000505), hirsutism (MESH:D006628), autosomal recessive disorder (MESH:D030342)

## Figures

3 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11911001/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11911001