{"product_id":"borderline-positive-slightly-abnormal-newborn-screen-for-congenital-adrenal-hyperplasia-cah-hp7492","title":"Borderline positive (slightly abnormal) newborn screen for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) - HP7492","description":"\u003ch4\u003eYou have just learned that your baby has had a borderline (slightly abnormal) newborn screen. This information will answer some of your questions.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout newborn screening\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA short time after your baby was born, some blood was collected from their heel to test for some rare disorders, including congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). We screen newborns in this way to find conditions where early treatment can help babies to stay well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy your baby needs a second test\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour baby’s screening test for CAH was \u003cstrong\u003eborderline\u003c\/strong\u003e (slightly abnormal). The laboratory needs to retest your baby using a fresh sample to check the result.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMost babies with abnormal screening results do not have anything wrong.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCommon reasons for a borderline CAH result are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ethe testing card had too much blood on it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ethe baby was born prematurely with adrenal enzymes that are not yet fully developed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout CAH\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCAH is an inherited condition where the adrenal gland does not produce the right amount of hormones. It can affect these three hormones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCortisol:\u003c\/strong\u003e With CAH, this hormone can be lower than normal. When it is working normally, it helps regulate energy levels, blood pressure and glucose metabolism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAldosterone:\u003c\/strong\u003e With CAH, this hormone can be lower than normal. When it is working normally, it helps regulate salt and body fluid volume.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAndrogens\u003c\/strong\u003e (male hormones): CAH can increase these hormones and cause someone to develop early signs of puberty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCAH can be mild or severe. If a baby with a borderline result has CAH, they are likely to have a mild form of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChildren with mild CAH are more likely to experience early puberty and be shorter as adults, but they remain healthy as babies. If they need treatment, it can prevent all of the problems that CAH can cause. Please discuss any of your concerns with your midwife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat happens next\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour midwife will collect another blood spot (heel prick) sample from your baby and send the testing card to the laboratory. The laboratory will have the test result one to two days after it gets the sample. It will then call or text your midwife with the result.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn most cases the repeat sample is normal and babies do not need any more testing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf the level is still not completely normal, your baby will be referred to a paediatrician for a full assessment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe treatment for CAH is to replace the hormones the baby can’t make. The replacement hormones are given as a medicine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere to go for more information\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information about newborn screening, go to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/info.health.nz\/health-topics\/pregnancy-maternity\/pregnancy-newborn-screening\/heel-prick-test\"\u003eHeel prick test — newborn metabolic screening\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more about what it is like to live with CAH, see Richard’s story at \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.tewhatuora.govt.nz\/health-services-and-programmes\/newborn-metabolic-screening-programme\"\u003eNewborn Metabolic Screening for professionals – Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HealthEd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47920748101860,"sku":"HP7492","price":0.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0102\/6916\/3582\/files\/HP7492.png?v=1771388352","url":"https:\/\/healthed.govt.nz\/products\/borderline-positive-slightly-abnormal-newborn-screen-for-congenital-adrenal-hyperplasia-cah-hp7492","provider":"HealthEd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}