Question:medium
Which condition is associated with Congenital adrenal hypoplasia?
Which condition is associated with Congenital adrenal hypoplasia?
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Male pseudohermaphroditism
- Female pseudohermaphroditism
- True pseudohermaphroditism
- Sequential pseudohermaphroditism
Show Solution
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Trace the hormone loop. A deficient steroidogenic enzyme (usually 21-hydroxylase) means the gland cannot finish making cortisol. The hypothalamic-pituitary axis senses the cortisol shortfall and pumps out more ACTH, which hypertrophies the adrenal cortex and piles up precursors such as 17-hydroxyprogesterone and androstenedione.
Step 2: Follow the precursors. Androstenedione is converted peripherally to testosterone, so a 46,XX fetus with normal ovaries is exposed to surplus androgen in utero. The internal ducts remain Mullerian (female), but the external genitalia are masculinised - clitoromegaly, labial fusion. By definition, ovaries present plus virilised external genitalia equals a female pseudohermaphrodite.
Step 3: Rule out the rest. Testes with poor virilisation would be male pseudohermaphroditism; coexisting ovarian and testicular tissue would be true hermaphroditism; and there is no clinical category called sequential pseudohermaphroditism. CAH is the leading cause of the female form.
\[\boxed{\text{Female pseudohermaphroditism}}\]
Step 2: Follow the precursors. Androstenedione is converted peripherally to testosterone, so a 46,XX fetus with normal ovaries is exposed to surplus androgen in utero. The internal ducts remain Mullerian (female), but the external genitalia are masculinised - clitoromegaly, labial fusion. By definition, ovaries present plus virilised external genitalia equals a female pseudohermaphrodite.
Step 3: Rule out the rest. Testes with poor virilisation would be male pseudohermaphroditism; coexisting ovarian and testicular tissue would be true hermaphroditism; and there is no clinical category called sequential pseudohermaphroditism. CAH is the leading cause of the female form.
\[\boxed{\text{Female pseudohermaphroditism}}\]
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