Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2026

Visualizing the Interrenal Steroidogenic Tissue and Its Vascular Microenvironment in Zebrafish
Published on: December 21, 2016
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia in the Bahamas due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency
S Peter1, G McDigean, P Sandiford
1Department of Medicine, Princess Margaret Hospital, The University of the West Indies, PO Box CB 12914, Nassau, Bahamas, West Indies. samaxe@aol.com
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 174.9 nmol/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 2l-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.
Related Concept Videos
Pedigree Analysis
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
The ER provides optimal conditions for synthesizing steroid hormones and lipids, such as phospholipids and triglycerides. Traditionally, lipid metabolism was considered to be a smooth ER function. However, there is no direct evidence to prove that rough ER is completely excluded from lipid...
Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction
Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology
Huntington Disease l: Introduction
Jaundice

