Cardiovascular risk factors and increased carotid intima-media thickness in young patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

Objective: Increased arterial intima-media thickness has been observed in adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD). CAH has also been associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and hypertension. The aim of the present study was to compare youths with CAH with healthy, normal-weight individuals, evaluating carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and indicative factors of cardiovascular risk to seek for abnormalities in the CAH group.

Morning serum Basal cortisol levels are affected by age and pubertal maturation in school-aged children and adolescents.

Background: The same reference values for cortisol have been used for adults and children, but laboratory results obtained from an adult population might not be suitable for pediatric patients.

Aims: To determine morning serum basal cortisol levels in children and adolescents.

Methods: The study was conducted on 120 suitable reference individuals, healthy Brazilian children and adolescents from both genders aged 4-19 years old.