I carry the salt wasting form of CAH but I am wondering about the non-salting form of 21-OHD and dex treatment. Do parents of the non-salting type take dex to prevent virilization. I posted what my doctor (ped endo said...she says no...) under the Congrations posting below...a recent birth and pregnancy. Anyway, John Hopkins patient manual says: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/pediatricendocrinology/cah/cah3.html C. Adrenal Androgens in Salt-Losing & Simple-Virilizing CAH In both forms of CAH, the increased production of adrenal androgens is of concern. The most important adrenal androgen secreted in large amounts is androstenedione. This steroid is not androgenic by itself. However, approximately 10% of androstenedione is metabolized in the body to testosterone, a potent androgen. Excess androgen production during fetal life, associated with-losing and simple-virilizing CAH, masculinizes the external genitalia of female infants. This includes an enlargement of the clitoris and variable degrees of fusion of the labia. The simple virilizing form of CAH results in a moderate excess of androgen production with moderate masculinization of the external genitalia in females. Salt-losing CAH results in greater masculinization than simple-virilizing CAH due to greater production of androgens.