hrp0089fc1.2 | Adrenals & HPA Axis | ESPE2018

Long-term Effects of Prenatal Dexamethasone Treatment and Postnatal Glucocorticoid Treatment on Brain Structure in the Context of CAH

Westeinde Annelies van't , Karlsson Leif , Sandberg Malin , Nordenstrom Anna , Paddila Nelly , Lajic Svetlana

Objective: Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) requires life-long replacement of cortisol. Female fetuses with classical CAH are virilized, which can be prevented by prenatal dexamethasone (DEX) treatment from gestational week 7. However, 7 out of 8 fetuses are treated unnecessarily during fetal life and are thus exposed to high prenatal glucocorticoid (GC) levels. Both prenatal exposures to high GC levels, as well as long term postnatal GC-treatment in patients with CAH are ...