[Management of congenital adrenal hyperplasia]

This review deals with the current problems in the management of classical 21-hydroxylase deficiency from the fetal life to the puberty. The clinical consequences of 21-hydroxylase deficiency reflect the disordered physiology--impaired secretion of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, and excessive secretion of androgens. Current therapy is intended to correct the disordered physiology by replacing mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid hormones, thereby reducing the ACTH-driven increase in adrenal androgen secretion. Treated patients should expect a normal life span and reproductive potential. This can be achieved by careful attention to regular measurements of clinical parameters and biochemical indices of control.