Women With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Have Favorable Pregnancy Outcomes but Prolonged Time to Conceive

Abstract

Objective To study pregnancy outcomes and complications in women with CAH. Methods A retrospective multicenter study was conducted at tertiary reference centers in five countries (Austria, Germany, Italy, Sweden, USA), including 72 adult women with CAH (non-classic (NC) n = 34, simple virilizing (SV) n = 21, salt-wasting (SW) n = 17). Results A total of 133 pregnancies, 112 live births, and 25 abortions were documented. Prolonged latency to pregnancy was observed (median 11 months in SW, 24 months in SV, 8 months in NC), with a notable use of fertility-enhancing medication (25.6%) and assisted reproductive techniques (30.8%). Over half of the women in each group took more than 12 months to conceive. The average number of live births (1.4-1.6 children per woman) was similar across CAH phenotypes and comparable to the general population. Spontaneous abortion rates (18.0%) were also similar across phenotypes. Primary cesarean section rates (60.9%) were higher than in the general population, though 23.8% of women with SV and 29.4% of women with SW gave birth naturally, despite most having undergone genital surgery. Children categorized as small for gestational age were 20.5%. Pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum complications were rare for mothers and neonates. Conclusion The study indicates a prolonged latency to pregnancy and high use of fertility treatments in CAH patients, regardless of phenotype. Abortion rates were not increased, and overall pregnancy and perinatal outcomes were favorable.