DefinitionCongenital adrenal hyperplasia refers to a group of inherited disorders of the adrenal gland.Alternative NamesAdrenogenital syndrome; 21-hydroxylase deficiencyCauses, incidence, and risk factorsCongenital adrenal hyperplasia can affect both boys and girls. People with congenital adrenal hyperplasia lack an enzyme needed by the adrenal gland to make the hormones cortisol and aldosterone.Without these hormones, the body produces more androgen, a type of male sex hormone. This causes male characteristics to appear early (or inappropriately).About 1 in 10,000 to 18,000 children are born with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.SymptomsGirls will usually have normal female reproductive organs (ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes). They may also have the following changes:Abnormal menstrua