The neonatal CAH screening test is mainly performed for early detection of and avoidance of mortality due to salt-wasting crises related to severe 21-hydroxylase deficiency. 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (HSD3B2) deficiency is a rare subtype of CAH that leads to salt-wasting crises. To present a case of HSD3B2 deficiency with a positive neonatal CAH screening test, emphasizing the role of newborn screening in early diagnosis. A 46,XY newborn who assigned female at birth, was admitted on the fifth postnatal day due to atypical genitalia. His neonatal CAH screening test subsequently resulted positive. Low cortisol and aldosterone levels, elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia were detected. Steroid hormone profile suggested a diagnosis of HSD3B2 deficiency, and subsequent genetic testing revealed compound heterozygous variants in the HSD3B2 gene. Electrolyte balance was achieved with hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone replacement therapy. The neonatal CAH screening test offers an extra advantage in guiding early diagnosis and treatment of patients with rare salt-wasting forms of CAH, such as HSD3B2 deficiency in countries where these conditions are relatively more common.

Although the most common cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) worldwide is 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD), which accounts for more than 95% of cases, other rare causes of CAH such as 11-beta-hydroxylase deficiency (11β-OHD), 3-beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) deficiency, 17-hydroxylase deficiency and lipoid CAH (LCAH) may also be encountered in clinical practice. 11β-OHD is the most common type of CAH after 21-OHD, and CYP11B1 deficiency in adrenal steroidogenesis causes the inability to produce cortisol and aldosterone and the excessive production of adrenal androgens. Although the clinical and laboratory features are similar to 21-OHD, findings of mineralocorticoid deficiency are not observed. 3β-HSD deficiency, with an incidence of less than 1/1,000,000 live births, is characterized by impairment of both adrenal and gonadal steroid biosynthesis very early in life, with inadequate virilization in boys and varying degrees of virilization in girls. It may present with salt wasting crisis or delayed puberty in both genders. While 46,XY disorders of sex development is frequently observed in boys with 17-hydroxylase deficiency, immature pubertal development and primary amenorrhea are observed in girls due to estrogen deficiency throughout adolescence. Patients with LCAH, which develops due to steroidogenic acute regulatory protein deficiency, typically present with salt wasting in the first year of life. It is characterized by complete or near-complete deficiency of adrenal and gonadal steroid hormones and progressive accumulation of cholesterol esters in the adrenal gland.

Influenza A (H1N1) is a contagious respiratory infection caused by the influenza A virus. In the majority of cases, H1N1 influenza is benign. However, it can be dangerous for infants and children with underlying chronic diseases. The severity of influenza depends on various factors, including the virulence of the virus strain, preexisting immunity level, and individual health conditions. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical profile of H1N1 influenza in hospitalized infants and children. This is a prospective and descriptive study conducted from November 1, 2018, to January 31, 2024. In this study, we included all children under 14 years old hospitalized for suspected severe lower respiratory infection who had gone through virological testing. We used a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kit: the Film Array-Respiratory Panel. Due to the depletion of multiplex PCR kits, this study continued using rapid influenza diagnostic tests based on immunochromatographic technique. We report 45 confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza, collected during the period from November 1, 2018, to January 31, 2024. The average age was 2 years and 4 months. The main reason for admission was respiratory distress found in all patients. In 53% of the cases, there was an associated comorbidity, including asthma (17 cases), prematurity (2 cases), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (2 cases), cystic fibrosis (1 case), undetermined etiology bronchial dilation (1 case), and Basedow's disease (1 case). The clinical presentation included viral bronchiolitis (17 cases), moderate asthma exacerbation (10 cases), severe asthma exacerbation (7 cases), pneumonia (9 cases), bronchial dilation exacerbation (1 case), and flu-like syndrome with adrenal insufficiency (1 case). Fever was present in 31 patients. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting were present in 20 cases. Three patients required intensive care, with 2 children being intubated and ventilated (one severe acute asthma and one severe viral bronchiolitis). Two cases were treated with oseltamivir. The average length of hospital stay was 7.5 days, ranging from 3 to 20 days. All cases showed favorable evolution. We conclude that preventive measures remain crucial, and influenza vaccination is highly recommended in cases of underlying morbidity.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of autosomal recessive disorders caused by enzyme deficiencies required for cortisol biosynthesis in the adrenal cortex. The majority of CAH are due to the deficiency of the 21-hydroxylase enzyme, while 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 deficiency accounts for less than five percent of all CAH cases. We report two Moroccan twins from a spontaneous triplet pregnancy. The 46,XY newborn exhibited a disorder of sexual differentiation (DSD) with hypo virilization, while the 46,XX newborn had normal female external genitalia. In the first week of life, they showed hyponatremia and primary adrenal insufficiency with a slight 17OHP elevation and increased DHEAS and renin levels. The aCGH-SNP analysis disclosed a 8.36 Mb long contiguous stretch of homozygosity (LCSH) on chromosome 1p13.2-p11.2 including the candidate HSD3B2 gene, a LCSH of 7.3 Mb on 14q31.1-q32.11, and a 7 Mb duplication on 10q22.3-q23.2. Clinical exome sequencing revealed the biallelic c.969T > G (p.Asn323Lys) HSD3B2, likely pathogenic, variant in both of the affected twins. This case emphasizes the importance of a prompt molecular diagnosis performed through the combination of aCGH and clinical exome, both for establishment of correct therapy and for follow-up, as the newborns also carry a genomic rearrangement with possible clinical implications.

3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (3βHSD2) deficiency is a rare form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), with fewer than 200 cases reported in the world literature and few data on outcomes. We report a mixed longitudinal and cross-sectional study from a single Algerian center between 2007 and 2021. Virilization and under-masculinization were assessed using Prader staging and the external masculinization score (EMS), pubertal development staged according to the system of Tanner. Adrenal steroids were measured using mass spectrophotometry (LC-MS/MS). A genetic analysis of HSD3B2 was performed using Sanger sequencing. A 3βHSD2 defect was confirmed in 6 males and 8 females from 10 families (8 consanguineous), with p.Pro222Gln mutation in all but two siblings with a novel deletion: c.453_464del or p.(Thr152_Pro155del). Probable 3βHSD2 deficiency was diagnosed retrospectively in a further 6 siblings who died, and in two patients from two other centers. In the genetically confirmed patients, the median (range) age at presentation was 20 (0-390) days, with salt-wasting (n = 14) and genital anomaly (n = 10). The Prader stage for female patients was 2 (1-2) with no posterior fusion of the labia. The EMS for males was 6 (3-9). Median (range) values at diagnosis for 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and 17-hydroxypregnenolone (17OHPreg) were elevated: 73.7 (0.37-164.3) nmol/L; 501.2(9.4-5441.3) nmol/L, and 139.7 (10.9-1500) nmol/l (NB >90 nmol/L diagnostic of 3βHSD2 defect). Premature pubarche was observed in four patients (3F:1M). Six patients (5F:1M) entered puberty spontaneously, aged 11 (5-13) years in 5 girls and 11.5 years in one boy. Testicular adrenal rest tumors were found in three boys. Four girls reached menarche at 14.3 (11-14.5) years, with three developing adrenal masses (surgically excised in two) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), with radiological evidence of ovarian adrenal rest tumor in one. The median IQ was 90 (43-105), >100 in only two patients and <70 in three. The prevalence of 3βHSD2 deficiency in Algeria appears high, with p.Pro222Gln being the most frequent mutation. Mortality is also high, with significant morbidity from adrenal tumors and PCOS in adolescence and an increased risk of learning disability. The finding of adrenal tumors in older patients with 3βHSD2 indicates under-replacement, requiring effective hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone treatment rather than surgical removal.