Yes, more that one family memeber can have CAH. To have CAH both the mother and the father must pass on the defective gene. The both parents are carriers, but do not have CAH, then with each pregancy there is a 1 in 4 chance that the child will have CAH.

It is interesting that your son is listed as salt wasting but wasn’t diagnosed until 3. Typcially a salt waster will have an adrenal crisis within the first 2 or 3 weeks after birth. However, there are known salt wasters who did not have a crisis until they were much older.

Yes, you will be able to handle both of your children if they both do have CAH. When my now 4-year-old was diagnosed I cried and cried for about 2 or 3 weeks. But in that time frame I was able to see that she was feeling better. I learned that giving the meds every 8 hours just becomes a part of life (most of the time ;).

Make sure your ped endo or endocrine nurse trains you how and when to give an injection. It will be very scary the first time you do it, but then its not bad. All CAH children (and adults) respond differently to vomitting and diarehia -- but in general this is when they need an injection because they are unable to take anything by mouth.

Besides this board (which is great!) other places that you can get some good support and information are:

CARES (Congenital Adrenal hyperplasia Research, Education and Support) Foundation, Inc.

Kelly R. Leight, Executive Director
1-973-912-3895 (in New Jersey)
1-866-227-3737 (toll free out-of-state)

http://www.caresfoundation.org/
Kelly@caresfoundation.org

MAGIC (Major Aspects of Growth in Children)

The Magic Foundation
6645 W. North Ave.
Oak Park, IL 60302
Tel: 708-383-0808/
Fax: 708-383-0899

http://www.magicfoundation.org

Email: mary@magicfoundation.org

Best regards,

Janet