3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency

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Disease Overview

3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3BHSD) deficiency is a form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a group of conditions that interfere with the body’s ability to make hormones. People with this condition lack many of the hormones made in the gonads (testes or ovaries) and the adrenal glands. There are three types of 3BHSD deficiency – the salt-wasting form, non-salt-wasting form, and non-classic form. Signs and symptoms depend on the type of 3BHSD deficiency; the age at diagnosis; and the sex of the affected person. The salt-wasting form is the most severe type and can even be life-threatening. People with this form are generally diagnosed at birth due to symptoms related to abnormal salt reabsorption (i.e. dehydration, poor feeding, vomiting). Males with any form of the condition often have abnormalities of the external genitalia and are frequently infertile. Females with the condition may have slight genital abnormalities at birth, but often go on to experience irregular menstruation, hirsutism, and infertility as they get older. 3BHSD deficiency is caused by changes (mutations) in the HSD3B2 gene and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. Treatment varies but may include medications and/or surgery.[10025][10026]


Synonyms

  • Adrenal hyperplasia 2
  • Adrenal hyperplasia II
  • 3b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency
  • HSD3B deficiency
  • 3-beta-HSD deficiency
  • Type II 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency
  • CAH due to 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency
  • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency

For more information, visit GARD.

National Organization for Rare Disorders