Aldosterone synthase deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a defect in the final biochemical step of aldosterone biosynthesis, the 18-hydroxylation of 18-hydroxycorticosterone to aldosterone. This disease is characterized by life-threatening salt-loss, failure to thrive, hyponatraemia and hyperkalaemia in early infancy. In type I deficiency, aldosterone is undetectable, whereas in type II aldosterone can be low or normal.
