It’s a big convuluted circle.  There are no follow-up studies indicating the dex in pregnancy is ultimately a good thing for other than reducing the discomfort parents have with virilized girls.  The dex treatment protocol is too new to know what the results will be when it really matters for the child---that is, when the child reaches puberty and then subsequently becomes sexually active.  There are many studies showing some issues though that may affect the kids treated this way---both male and female.  Most notably is the incidence of smaller heads and the incidence of illness and premature bone loss in the mother.  Dex, along with other cortisones destroy the bones in a big way.

Just as surgery is controversial, so is the prenatal treatment with extremely high dosages of dex because of the lack of follow-up studies.  When you treat an infant  with CAH and fail to follow-up in adulthood, the lies and travesties are only compounded by those looking for a quick fix--uncomfortable parents and physicians most notably included.

Betsy Driver

www.bodieslikeours.org