A 16 year old female patient presents to the OPD with hirsutism and masculinization. Which of the following hormones of the adrenal coex is the likely culprit?

Hirsutism and musculanisation in a female suggests excessive androgens like dehydroepiandrosteronen(DHEA), which is culprit here. Adrenogenital sydrome: An adrenocoical tumor secretes excessive quantities of androgens that cause intense masculanizing effects. In women, virile characteristics develop, including growth of a beard, deeper voice, masculine distribution of hair on the body and the pubis and growth of the clitoris. In boys, it presents as precocious pubey. The excretion of 17-ketosteroids (which are derived from androgens) in the urine may be 10 to 15 times elevated. This findings can be used in diagnosing the disease. Ref: Guyton and Hall 13th edition Pgno: 981