Why are doctors giving dexamethasone to pregnant women who may be carrying fetuses with CAH?
CAH is an endocrine disorder that can cause serious and even life-threatening medical problems. In addition to these problems, girls with CAH are often born with a bigger-than-typical clitoris or with “masculinized” genitals. Some doctors have been giving dexamethasone to women who might be carrying a fetus with CAH in order to prevent atypical genitals. Some doctors also think that giving dexamethasone during pregnancy may reduce “masculine” behavior in girls with CAH. Dexamethasone does not prevent the other, serious complications of CAH.
