Spontaneous Adrenal Hemorrhage in a Pregnant Woman With Glucocorticoid Resistance Syndrome

Abstract

Glucocorticoid resistance syndrome is a rare disorder with no genetically proven cases reported from India; in addition, there are no descriptions available regarding its management during pregnancy. A 27-year-old woman, hypertensive since the age of 17 years, presented with hypokalemic paresis. She reported regular menses and acne. On investigation, she had elevated serum cortisol that remained unsuppressed after a low-dose dexamethasone suppression test. Genetic analysis revealed a novel, homozygous missense variant in exon 5 of the NR3C1 gene confirming glucocorticoid resistance syndrome. She was managed with oral dexamethasone followed by tapering of antihypertensive drugs. A year later, she conceived with assisted reproductive techniques when dexamethasone was replaced with prednisolone, necessitating the reintroduction of antihypertensive drugs to maintain normotension and potassium supplements to manage hypokalemia. She presented with acute abdomen at 36 weeks of gestation; evaluation revealed right adrenal hemorrhage, which was managed conservatively. Postpartum, the right adrenal lesion reduced in size and an underlying right adrenal myelolipoma was unveiled.