Steroids are produced naturally in our bodies. Steroids help us cope with stress, keep the right balance of salts in our body, and help us mature into boys (testosterone) and girls (estrogen). Sometimes children inherit problems with the enzymes that make these steroids.
Where are the steroids made? Some of the steroids are made in the adrenal glands which sit on top of the kidneys. The adrenal glands look a little bit like scoops of ice cream on the kidneys. The outside of the adrenal glands make steroids.
Think of steroid production like irrigation. If one row is blocked, water will flow to other rows. If one of the ways to make specific steroids are blocked, the ingredients get pushed down different rows and make different steroids.
The most common problem in CAH is one enzyme doesn't work and so too much "boy" steroid is made. This can lead to little girls' genitals that look male. This also leads to not enough specific steroid to help that child's body balance salt and stress which can make them very sick.
The way to treat this is to give the child steroids that replace what the body needs and can't make. This allows the body to get back in balance with managing salt, stress, and "boy" steroids (yes girls have a little bit of boy "steroids" or hormones too).
Note, when children are born in many states the hospitals and doctor's offices screen for these and many other problems.
If you want more info check out CAH at the Mayo Clinic or google CAH and emedicine.
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