[Molecular genetic verification of isolated mineralocorticoid deficiency due to aldosterone synthase deficiency]

Isolated mineralocorticoid deficiency is a rare hereditary autosomal recessive disorder that is characterized by salt wasting and that has the severest manifestations in infants. This paper is the first in the Russian literature to describe cases of isolated aldosterone deficiency. In both cases, the patients were monitored and treated for misdiagnosed congenital adrenal hyperplasia; however, the permanently low level of 17-hydroxyprogesterone could put in doubt the diagnosis and suspect isolated mineralocorticoid deficiency, by keeping in mind a history of salt wasting. By using the presented cases as an example, the authors give an algorithm for the examination and differential diagnosis of this condition and other diseases that have the similar clinical picture. Aldosterone synthase deficiency in patients was verified by molecular genetic studies - there were mutations in the CYP112 gene.