Disorders of sex development in children

Analysis of gender assignment in children with 46, XY disorders of sex development

  • Yan LIANG ,
  • Yi-qing Lü ,
  • Hua XIE ,
  • Yi-chen HUANG ,
  • Xiao-xi LI ,
  • Pin LI ,
  • Yi-qun XI
Expand
  • 1.Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University/Children's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai 200062, China
    2.Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University/Children's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai 200062, China
    3.Ethics Committee, Children's Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University/Children's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai 200062, China
LÜ Yi-qing,E-mail: Tristan_ren@hotmail.com.

Online published: 2021-12-03

Supported by

Special Subject of Clinical Research of Shanghai Municipal Health Commission(201940223);Three Years Clinical Research Plan of Shanghai Shenkang Hospital Development Center(SHDC2020CR2058B);Special Key Project of Medical Innovation Research of Science and Techology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(21Y21901000)

Abstract

Objective

·To explore the results of gender assignment of the patients with 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD), and provide reference for clinical decision-making of similar patients.

Methods

·The clinical data of 46,XY DSD patients who were treated in Children's Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University from 2015 to 2018 were collected. All the patients completed comprehensive assessments in the Department of Pediatric Endocrinology. Gender assignment was carried out after multidisciplinary treatment team discussion and full communication with the patients and/or the family members. The gender assignment results of these patients with different conditions were analyzed. The follow-up began 1 month after operation until 18 years old. Psychological assessment was performed after puberty.

Results

·A total of 52 patients with 46,XY DSD were collected. Before admission, 26 cases were female and 26 cases were male. Thirteen female patients were assigned to the same gender, among whom 6 cases were diagnosed as having complete androgen insensitivity syndrome, 2 cases diagnosed as having 17α-hydroxylase deficiency with extremely poor testicular function, 1 diagnosed as having complete gonadal dysplasia, and 4 diagnosed as having testicular dysfunction; otherwise 13 female patients changed gender to male, because 3 patients had partial androgen insensitive syndrome, 4 patients had 5α-reductase deficiency, 2 patients had androgen synthesis disorder, and the etiology of 4 patients was unknown (gonadal biopsy showed that both gonads of the patients were testicular tissues). All the 26 male patients were assigned to the same gender, among whom 11 cases were diagnosed as having 5α-reductase deficiency, 6 diagnosed as having partial androgen insensitivity syndrome, 4 diagnosed as having androgen synthesis disorder, and 5 cases with unknown etiology (gonadal biopsy showed bilateral testicular tissues in 2 cases and unilateral gonadal dysplasia with contralateral testicular tissue in 3 cases). Thirteen patients who reached the age of psychological evaluation did not exist gender identity confusion.

Conclusion

·The 46,XY DSD patients with complete gonadal dysplasia, complete androgen insensitivity syndrome or testicular dysfunction can be considered for female gender assignment. The patients with 5α-reductase deficiency or partial androgen insensitivity syndrome can be considered for male selection. For the children with unknown etiology, it should be considered comprehensively according to the specific phenotype and the actual situation of children's families.

Cite this article

Yan LIANG , Yi-qing Lü , Hua XIE , Yi-chen HUANG , Xiao-xi LI , Pin LI , Yi-qun XI . Analysis of gender assignment in children with 46, XY disorders of sex development[J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Medical Science), 2021 , 41(11) : 1412 -1416 . DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8115.2021.11.002

References

1 Hughes IA, Houk C, Ahmed SF, et al. Consensus statement on management of intersex disorders[J]. J Pediatr Urol, 2006, 2(3): 148-162.
2 Massanyi EZ, Dicarlo HN, Migeon CJ, et al. Review and management of 46,XY disorders of sex development[J]. J Pediatr Urol, 2013, 9(3): 368-379.
3 中华医学会儿科学分会内分泌遗传代谢学组. 性发育异常的儿科内分泌诊断与治疗共识[J]. 中华儿科杂志, 2019, 57(6): 410-418.
4 中华医学会小儿外科学分会泌尿外科学组. 性别发育异常中国专家诊疗共识[J]. 中华小儿外科杂志, 2019, 40(4): 289-297.
5 Palmer BW, Wisniewski AB, Schaeffer TL, et al. A model of delivering multi-disciplinary care to people with 46 XY DSD[J]. J Pediatr Urol, 2012, 8(1): 7-16.
6 Mendonca BB. Gender assignment in patients with disorder of sex development[J]. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes, 2014, 21(6): 511-514.
7 Kolesinska Z, Ahmed SF, Niedziela M, et al. Changes over time in sex assignment for disorders of sex development[J]. Pediatrics, 2014, 134(3): e710-e715.
8 Ahmadifard M, Kajbafzadeh A, Panjeh-Shahi S, et al. Molecular investigation of mutations in androgen receptor and 5-alpha-reductase-2 genes in 46,XY disorders of sex development with normal testicular development[J]. Andrologia, 2019, 51(5): e13250.
9 Brown J, Warne G. Practical management of the intersex infant[J]. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab, 2005, 18(1): 3-23.
10 Fu XH, Zhang WQ, Qu XS. Correlation of androgen receptor and SRD5A2 gene mutations with pediatric hypospadias in 46,XY DSD children[J]. Genet Mol Res, 2016, 15(1): 15018232.
11 Lee PA, Nordenstr?m A, Houk CP, et al. Global disorders of sex development update since 2006: perceptions, approach and care[J]. Horm Res Paediatr, 2016, 85(3): 158-180.
12 Cools M, Looijenga LH, Wolffenbuttel KP, et al. Disorders of sex development: update on the genetic background, terminology and risk for the development of germ cell tumors[J]. World J Pediatr, 2009, 5(2): 93-102.
13 Migeon CJ, Wisniewski AB, Brown TR, et al. 46,XY intersex individuals: phenotypic and etiologic classification, knowledge of condition, and satisfaction with knowledge in adulthood[J]. Pediatrics, 2002, 110(3): e32.
Outlines

/