ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the frequency of 21-hydroxylase deficiency in The Bahamas and the spectrum of this disorder.

Methods: Patients referred for evaluation of virilization, precocious puberty, ambiguous genitalia and salt wasting had blood taken for 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OH progesterone) which was measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Results: Nine patients had elevated 17 – OH progesterone levels – confirming 21-hydroxylase deficiency.
Range of levels was 174.9nmol/l to 81678.7 nmol/L (normal less than 13 nmol/L). There were six females and three males and the age at diagnosis ranged from 21 days to 16 years. Five had precocious development, three had salt wasting, and there was one with virilization. One of the salt wasters had ambiguous genitalia. Incidence of 21-hydroxylase deficiency – 20/100 000; salt wasting – 35/100 000; the prevalence of 21-Hydroxylase deficiency 10/100 000).

Conclusion: The frequency of 21-Hydroxylase deficiency in The Bahamas is one of the highest worldwide.