Slipped capital femoral epiphysis in an adolescent with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: a case report

Abstract Background: Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a common hip problem in adolescents between the ages of 8 and 15. Various endocrine disorders have been reported as the cause of this condition. Here, we describe a rare case of a boy with SCFE secondary to congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Case presentation: We report a 12-year-old boy who was admitted to our hospital for right SCFE that was not caused by trauma. The patient was diagnosed with CAH two months after birth and subsequently started long-term treatment with hydrocortisone and 9α-fludrocortisone. From the age of 5, he was treated with growth hormone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs to improve height. After adequate endocrine evaluation and endocrine therapy, the patient underwent surgery for right SCFE. Conclusion: In previous reports, hypothyroidism, hypopituitarism, and hypogonadism were common endocrine causes of SCFE, but this is the first time that congenital adrenal hyperplasia has been observed. As such, patients who have undergone long-term endocrine treatment for congenital adrenal hyperplasia could potentially be subjected to higher risk for SCFE.