Nonclassic CAH encompasses such a wide range. If you look at the nomogram that Lisa talks about in her post above, basal 17-ohp numbers for those with proven non-classical cah range from about 100 ng/dl to 10,000 ng/dl (1.0 to 100 ng/ml). However, this probably inlcudes some overlap with those who don’t have CAH at all (if you are looking at the lower end of this spectrum), as well as some overlap with those who have classical CAH (if you are looking at the higher end of the spectrum.)
Most newborn screening programs are designed to pick up kids with the more severe forms of CAH. Though cut-offs do vary from state to state, it’s probably safe to say that a child with a base 17-ohp of 100 ng/dl would not be picked up by ANY newborn screening program, while a child with a base of 10,000 ng/dl should be picked up by most, if not, all. Someone with a base of 71 ng/dl should not even be a blip on the screen. That is why---if your child was picked up with a number of "71," it is more than likely that that number is 71 ng/ml (7100 ng/dl), not 71 ng/dl.
However, I realize that I am making a number of assumptions, since you said that this child’s 17-ohp was checked a number of different times and it is not clear exactly when this "71" number was gotten. I guess my only point is that it is almost useless to speculate about what’s really going on without knowing exactly what the numbers are and when they were gotten. I don’t like terms like "normal" or "abnormal," as it seems everyone means something different when they use those terms.
As far as your question about what would happen to this baby if he got an illness, but had CAH and was non-saltwasting: From personal experience (my son is also non-saltwasting), I think it’s quite possible that nothing would happen to him. (Prior to diagnosis and treatment, my son underwent ear tube surgery and an endoscopy---both under general anesthesia---also had pneumonia twice. In each instance, he was able to pull through the procedures without raising the suspicion of anything else being wrong.) However, I also know of other non-saltwasters who were diagnosed with CAH only when they were unable to recover from a routine illness. I also realize that my son might have not have been so lucky the next time around. So, again, I think it’s difficult to predict exactly how this child might fare, if he ends up having CAH, after all.
Like I said earlier, I think it is admirable that you are making the extra effort to make sure that this child doesn’t fall through the cracks in the foster care system. I hope he is as fortunate in his new home. Please let us know how things turn out or if you need additional help with locating information.