Facts about Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) is a genetic disorder of the adrenal glands that affects the body's general health, growth, and development.

The adrenal glands are a pair of walnut-sized organs above the kidneys. They make hormones, which act like chemical messengers to affect other organs in the body.

An organ at the base of the brain, called the pituitary gland, helps regulate the adrenal glands.

Each adrenal gland has two parts: the medulla (the inner part), and the cortex (the outer part).The medulla makes the hormone adrenaline. The cortex makes the hormones cortisol, aldosterone, and androgens.

CAH affects how the adrenal cortex works. In severe cases, the adrenal medulla may also not function normally.

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