Disorders of Sex Differentiation: A Pediatric Urologist's Perspective of New Terminology and Recommendations

Experiences and preferences of women with CAH and parents about disclosure of childhood surgery

INTRODUCTION

Complete disclosure of childhood genital surgery to patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a critical part of CAH care. There are no guidelines or uniform recommendations on the timing and content of surgical disclosure discussions.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to describe the experiences and preferences of females with CAH and parents of females with CAH who underwent childhood genital surgery regarding surgical disclosure.

METHODS

We conducted an anonymous cross-sectional online survey of females with CAH (46XX, ≥16 years [y] old) and parents of females with CAH who underwent genital surgery before age 4y in North America. Participants reported experiences, preferences, and advice about initial ("first time you were told") and complete disclosure ("told all details"). Non-parametric statistics and qualitative analysis were used.

RESULTS

Participants included 59 females with CAH (median age: 37y, 92% White, 93% non-Hispanic) and 41 parents (median: 36y, 85% White, 93% non-Hispanic, daughter median: 26y). The 76% of females who received complete disclosure were younger (median age: 33y) and underwent surgery more recently (median decade: 1980s) than the 14% who received only initial disclosure (median: 47y, 1970s) and the 10% who did not receive any disclosure (median: 60y, 1960s, p = 0.0003, Summary Figure). Females reported median ages of initial and complete disclosure as 7-10y and 11-13y, respectively. Disclosure was preferred by 98% of females with initial disclosure by age 14y and complete disclosure by 18y. Parents reported similar findings. Most disclosures were by mothers (initial: 82%, complete: 64%). Doctors were more involved in complete vs. initial disclosures (complete: 47%, initial: 13%, p < 0.001). Qualitative analysis of advice about surgical disclosure revealed 8 themes.

CONCLUSIONS

Disclosure of childhood genital surgery to women with CAH has increased over time. Although timing of disclosure varied, women preferred disclosure, and that it be initiated before age 14y and completed by age 18y.

Integration of child life services in the delivery of multi-disciplinary differences in Sexual Development (DSD) and Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) care

INTRODUCTION

Multiple studies have demonstrated the benefit of incorporating certified child life specialist (CCLS) services in various aspects of pediatric care. Although the significance of psychosocial support of patients with Disorders of Sexual Development (DSD) and Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) is increasingly recognized, the involvement of CCLS services into the DSD and CAH multidisciplinary care model has yet to be described.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and patient and family experience of routinely incorporating CCLS services into the multidisciplinary DSD and CAH care model.

STUDY DESIGN

As part of a quality improvement initiative, CCLS services were routinely incorporated in the multidisciplinary DSD and CAH clinics at our institution. Encounters for patients seen in clinic between July 2018 through October 2019 were reviewed for demographic information, DSD diagnosis classification, CCLS documentation, and whether an exam under anesthesia (EUA) was required due to an incomplete clinical exam. CCLS documentation was reviewed for assessments, interventions, whether patients tolerated their physical exams, time of CCLS services, and additional CCLS support beyond the physical exam. All patients were limited to one physical exam per clinic visit.

RESULTS

Out of the 45 encounters with CCLS involvement, 42 (93.3%) exams were well-tolerated. CCLS assessments considered patient development, communication considerations, temperament, medical stressors, coping preferences, and patient preferences for activities and distractions. Interventions included preparing patients for their physical exams, encouragement before and during exams, addressing patient stressors, distractions and coping mechanisms, and advocating for the patient. No patients required an EUA.

DISCUSSION

The CCLS aimed to provide families with a sense of control during clinic visits and teach them to advocate for themselves. The CCLS helped prepare and distract patients for their clinic visit and addressed the sensitive nature of the physical exam by focusing on the emotional and development needs of patients. CCLS contributions to a positive patient experience are consistent with multiple studies demonstrating the benefit of CCLS services for pediatric care. This quality improvement initiative ultimately helped to create a positive experience for patients and families.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the feasibility, acceptability, and positive impact of CCLS services in the delivery of patient and family-centered care for patients with DSD and CAH as part of the multidisciplinary team model.

Can the external masculinization score predict the success of genetic testing in 46,XY DSD?

Genetic testing is judiciously applied to individuals with Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) and so it is necessary to identify those most likely to benefit from such testing. We hypothesized that the external masculinization score (EMS) is inversely associated with the likelihood of finding a pathogenic genetic variant. Patients with 46,XY DSD from a single institution evaluated from 1994–2014 were included. Results of advanced cytogenetic and gene sequencing tests were recorded. An EMS score (range 0–12) was assigned to each patient according to the team's initial external genitalia physical examination. During 1994–2011, 44 (40%) patients with 46,XY DSD were evaluated and underwent genetic testing beyond initial karyotype; 23% (10/44) had a genetic diagnosis made by gene sequencing or array. The median EMS score of those with an identified pathogenic variant was significantly different from those in whom no confirmed genetic cause was identified [median 3 (95% CI, 2–6) versus 6 (95% CI, 5–7), respectively (p = 0.02)], but limited to diagnoses of complete or partial androgen insensitivity (8/10) or 5α-reductase deficiency (2/10). In the modern cohort (2012–2014), the difference in median EMS in whom a genetic cause was or was not identified approached significance (p = 0.05, median 3 (95% CI, 0–7) versus 7 (95% CI, 6–9), respectively). When all patients from 1994–2014 are pooled, the EMS is significantly different amongst those with compared to those without a genetic cause (median EMS 3 vs. 6, p < 0.02). We conclude that an EMS of 3 or less may indicate a higher likelihood of identifying a genetic cause of 46,XY DSD and justify genetic screening, especially when androgen insensitivity is suspected.

[Disorders of sex differentiation: state of the problem 15 years after the Chicago consensus]

It is well known that the nomenclature and classification were changed in 2005 at the international consensus conference on intersex disorders, held in Chicago, where, among others, the following recommendations were proposed: (1) all children should be assigned a gender identity, and this should be done as quickly as possible, taking into account the time required for the examination. (2) all infants with congenital adrenal hyperplasia and 46,XX karyotype, including those with pronounced masculinization, must be raised as women. (3) Surgical treatment should be performed early and in cases of feminizing genitoplasty, clitoral reduction should be performed simultaneously with reconstruction of the urogenital sinus (separation of the vagina and urethra). An analysis of contemporary literature shows that all these theories, proposed 15 years ago at the Chicago meeting, failed to stand the test of time. New nomenclature and classification are constantly being revised. Currently, many groups of patients want to abolish the term &laquo;sexual maturity disorders.&raquo; Recommendations regarding gender reassignment and appropriate early surgical treatment have been completely ignored in some countries. All this was largely facilitated by the confrontational activities of a number of support groups.

Pubertal outcomes and sex of rearing of patients with ovotesticular disorder of sex development and mixed gonadal dysgenesis

PURPOSE

Patients with ovotesticular disorder of sex development (DSD) and mixed gonadal dysgenesis (MGD) usually present with asymmetric gonads and have wide phenotypic variations in internal and external genitalia. The differential diagnosis of these conditions is based on karyotype and pathological findings of the gonads. This study investigated the clinical features at presentation, karyotype, sex of rearing, and pubertal outcomes of patients with ovotesticular DSD and MGD.

METHODS

The study comprised 23 patients with DSD who presented with asymmetric gonads. The presenting features, karyotype, sex of rearing, and pubertal outcomes were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

All 23 patients presented with ambiguous genitalia at a median age of 1 month (range, 1 day-1.6 years). Müllerian duct remnants were identified in 15 of 23 patients (65.2%). Fourteen patients were diagnosed with ovotesticular DSD, whereas the other 9 were diagnosed with MGD. Eight of 14 patients (57.1%) with ovotesticular DSD were raised as males, while 7 of 9 patients with MGD (77.8%) were assigned as males. One male-assigned patient with ovotesticular DSD changed to female sex at age 20 years.

CONCLUSION

Patients with ovotesticular DSD and MGD manifest overlapping clinical presentations and hormonal profiles. It is difficult to determine the sex of rearing and predict long-term pubertal outcomes. Therefore, long-term follow-up is required to monitor spontaneous puberty, sex outcome, and urological and gynecological complications.

What about my daughter's future? Parental concerns when considering female genital restoration surgery in girls with congenital adrenal hyperplasia

PURPOSE

The parental decision-making process regarding female genital restoration surgery (FGRS) for girls with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is controversial and poorly understood. The aim of the study aim was to evaluate parental concerns related to their child's future and parental plans about disclosure prior to FGRS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The authors performed an online survey of consecutive parents presenting at a tertiary referral center for consultation regarding FGRS for their daughter with CAH before 3 years of age (2016-2018). Twenty issues initially identified by three families and six clinicians were rated on a 6-point Likert scale of importance ('not at all' to 'extremely').

RESULTS

Sixteen consecutive families participated (Prader 3/4/5: 43.8%/43.8%/12.5%). Fourteen girls (87.5%) subsequently underwent FGRS at a median age of 8 months. Most issues (19/20, 95.0%) were ranked 'quite a bit' to 'extremely' important (Table). Top issues were not surgical: Normal physical/mental development, adrenal crisis and side-effects of medications. Surgery-related and self-image concerns followed in importance. Least prioritized issues were multiple genital exams ('quite a bit' important) and the child not being involved in the decision to proceed with FGRS ('somewhat' important). On average, no issues were considered 'not at all' or 'a little' important. Disclosure of FGRS to their daughter was the 15th prioritized issues. Almost all families (93.8%, 1 unsure) planned to disclose the surgery to their daughter, although many were unsure when and how to do it (33.3% and 37.5%, respectively).

COMMENT

Initial efforts to understand the complex process of parental decision-making regarding FGRS in the context of CAH, a complex, multifactorial disease, are presented. Parents of infant girls with CAH simultaneously weigh multiple life-threatening concerns with a decision about FGRS. While issues of genital ambiguity and surgery are important, they are not overriding concerns for parents of girls with CAH. Parents report significant uncertainty about appropriate timing and approach to disclosing FGRS to their daughters. Unfortunately, best practice guidelines for this process are lacking. The findings are not based on actual history of disclosure but on parents' anticipated behavior. Further data are need from parents, children, and women with CAH about successful disclosure. Being a single-center series, these data may not correspond to the wider CAH community.

CONCLUSIONS

Parental decision-making regarding FGRS is multifactorial. Even when considering FGRS, parents' largest concerns remain focused on the life-threatening and developmental effects of CAH and side-effects of its medical treatment. The disclosure process deserves further attention.

Update on the surgical approach for reconstruction of the male genitalia

The majority of patients with DSD will be found to carry an XY karyotype and be assigned male gender. From a phenotypical standpoint, most will present with proximal hypospadias ± cryptorchidism. In this review article, the authors present the current status of reconstruction of the male genitalia in this setting. The report addresses the following topics: surgical input in the evaluation of the newborn with an undervirilized external genitalia, including gender assignment considerations; controversies surrounding timing and indication for hypospadias surgery in proximal cases as well as use of testosterone; surgical techniques and decision-making process for one- vs. two-stage repairs; complications of hypospadias surgery based on technique used for repair; and long-term follow-up. The high complication rates observed in the treatment of proximal hypospadias attest to its challenging nature. Concentration of experience, tracking carefully identified patient-centered outcomes and long-term follow-up of this patient population are recommended.

Public challenge and endorsement of sex category ambiguity in online debate: 'The sooner people stop thinking that gender is a matter of choice the better'

Despite academic feminist debate over several decades, the binary nature of sex as a (perhaps the) primary social classification is often taken for granted, as is the assumption that individuals can be unproblematically assigned a biological sex at birth. This article presents analysis of online debate on the BBC news website in November 2013, comprising 864 readers' responses to an article entitled 'Germany allows 'indeterminate' gender at birth'. It explores how discourse reflecting Western essentialist beliefs about people having one sex or 'the other' is maintained in debates conducted in this online public space. Comments were coded thematically and are presented under five sub-headings: overall evaluation of the German law; discussing and disputing statistics and 'facts'; binary categorisations; religion and politics; and 'conversations' and threads. Although for many the mapping of binary sex onto gender was unquestionable, this view was strongly disputed by commentators who questioned the meanings of 'natural' and 'normal', raised the possibility of removing societal binary male-female distinctions or saw maleness-femaleness as a continuum. While recognising that online commentators are anonymous and can control their self-presentation, this animated discussion suggests that social classifications as male or female, even if questioned, remain fundamental in public debate in the early 21^st century.

Should CAH in Females Be Classified as DSD?

Great controversies and misunderstandings have developed around the relatively recently coined term disorders of sex development (DSD). In this article, we question the wisdom of including XX individuals with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in the DSD category and develop arguments against it based on the published literature on the subject. It is clear that females with CAH assigned the female gender before 24 months of age and properly managed retain the female gender identity regardless of the Prader grade. Females with CAH and low Prader grades have the potential for a normal sexual and reproductive life. Those with greater degrees of prenatal androgen exposure (Prader grades IV and V) raised as females also identify themselves as females but experience more male-like behavior in childhood, have a greater rate of homosexuality, and have greater difficulty with vaginal penetration and maintaining pregnancies. Improvement in surgical techniques, better endocrinological, psychological, and surgical follow-up may lessen these problems in the future. Given the fact that the term DSD includes many conditions with problematic gender identity and conflicts with the gender assigned at birth, it may be appropriate to exclude females with CAH from the DSD classification.

To tell or not: parental thoughts on disclosure of urologic surgery to their child

PURPOSE

Literature pertaining to surgical disclosure to the pediatric patient is lacking. We hypothesized parents would find it difficult to disclose urologic surgery to a child.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Parents of patients <5 years old undergoing urologic surgery were contacted for telephone survey. Parents were asked about future plans of surgical disclosure, comfort with disclosure, and any support received.

RESULTS

98 parents consented to study participation. 87% of surgeries were on the genitalia with 62% being minor genitalia surgery (i.e. circumcision). 70% of parents would tell their child about minor genital surgery while 84% would tell about major genital surgery (p=0.07). 4 of 20 parents of children undergoing hypospadias repair (major genital surgery) did not plan to tell their child about surgery. All parents of children undergoing non-genital surgery would tell. Of all parents planning to tell their children about surgery, only 14% were nervous. 34% of parents would find guidance in talking to their child helpful despite the majority (90%) stating no guidance had ever been provided.

CONCLUSIONS

Parents seem comfortable discussing urologic surgeries with a child but about 1/3 would appreciate further counseling. 20% of parents of children undergoing hypospadias repair hope to avoid telling their child.

Understanding disorders of sexual development

Studies estimate that the incidence of genital anomalies could be as high as 1 in 300 births. While it is rare for an infant to present with truly ambiguous genitalia, it is plausible that the pediatric nurse will encounter a patient with disorders of sexual development in his or her career. Cases of disorders of sexual development are challenging due to complexities of diagnosis, gender assignment, uncertain outcomes, treatment options, and psychosocial stressors. This article discusses the evaluation and management of children with disorders of sexual development and the nurse's role as child advocate and family educator.

Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome in juveniles and adults with female phenotypes

AIM

To report on six cases of the diagnosis and treatment of patients with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) and a review of the relevant published work.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of a total of six patients with CAIS who were admitted to our hospital between September 1985 and June 2012. All surgical patients were examined for sex chromosomes and sex hormone levels pre- and postoperatively, respectively, and underwent lower abdominal B ultrasounds and pathological examinations among other tests.

RESULTS

Five of the patients were treated with castration, one patient aged 5 years was treated conservatively Tissue from surgical resections showed normal testicular tissue that comprised Leydig cells and Sertoli cells, and pathological examinations showed no sign of testicular cancer. Following corrective operations, postoperative complications, such as female secondary sexual characteristics, stagnation and osteoporosis, have not developed. Sex hormone level ratio changed significantly after being treated with castration compared with preoperative levels; mainly testosterone and estrogen decreased significantly (P < 0.05), while luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone significantly increased (P < 0.05). However, prolactin did not change significantly (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The study show that removal of the testes in CAIS patients after puberty is safe and reliable. Meanwhile, it is essential to provide a hormone drug after being treated with castration. Further studies are needed to evaluate the safety and the quality of life for CAIS patients.

Evaluation and management of disorders of sex development: multidisciplinary approach to a complex diagnosis

Various disorders of sex development (DSD) result in abnormal development of genitalia, which may be recognized at prenatal ultrasonography, immediately after birth, or later in life. Current methods for diagnosing DSD include a thorough physical examination, laboratory tests to determine hormone levels and identify chromosomal abnormalities, and radiologic imaging of the genitourinary tract and adjacent organs. Because of the complex nature of DSD, the participation of a multidisciplinary team is required to address the patient's medical needs as well as any psychosocial issues that the patient or the family may encounter after the diagnosis. The first step in the management of DSD is sex assignment, which is based on factors such as the genotype; the presence, location, and appearance of reproductive organs; the potential for fertility; and the cultural background and beliefs of the patient's family. The primary goal of sex assignment is to achieve the greatest possible consistency between the patient's assigned sex and his or her gender identity. Once the sex is assigned, the next step in management might be surgery, hormone therapy, or no intervention at all. Patients with ovotesticular DSD and gonadal dysgenesis may require a gonadectomy, followed by reconstructive surgery. Some patients may need hormone replacement therapy during puberty. An understanding of the immediacy of families' need for sex assignment and clinicians' need for reliable diagnostic imaging results will help radiologists participate effectively in the prenatal and postnatal assessment of patients with DSD.

Disorders of sexual differentiation: I. Genetics and pathology

Objectives

To provide a summary of the recent major advances in the field of molecular genetics and understanding of psychosexual development, as these developments have resulted in changes in terminology and classification of disorders of sexual differentiation (DSD)/intersex; and to provide a quick and simplified review of the basic information.

Methods

Recent publications (over the last 10 years) were identified by a PubMed search, as were relevant previous studies, using the keywords; ‘sex chromosomes’, ‘psychosexual development’, ‘classifications’, ‘disorders of sexual differentiation’, ‘Chicago consensus’, ‘gonadal malignancy’, ‘intersex’ and ‘ambiguous genitalia’.

Results

The newly proposed terminology and classification has eliminated some confusion for both patient and family, as well as among health professionals. The new advances have facilitated the categorisation of gonadal malignancy in patients with DSD into high-, intermediate- and low-risk groups.

Conclusions

The major changes in terminology and classification of DSD should be considered as the first steps on a long road of research effort. The current available data remain far from sufficient. More molecular genetics studies will allow a better understanding of the causes of each condition of DSD.

The clinical and genetic heterogeneity of mixed gonadal dysgenesis: does "disorders of sexual development (DSD)" classification based on new Chicago consensus cover all sex chromosome DSD?

Clinical findings illustrate the wide spectrum of the phenotypic manifestations of 45,X/46,XY mosaicism in the sex chromosome disorders of sex differentiation (DSD). The objective of study is to evaluate the characteristics of 45,X/46,XY patients and questioning of their place within the DSD categorization. The clinical findings of 11 patients with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism are described including the presentation, gonadal morphology, genital anatomy, and the hormone levels among 285 patients with DSD evaluated. Sixty-seven patients were diagnosed with sex chromosome DSD (50 Turner, three Klinefelter, ten 45,X/46,XY gonadal disgenesis, one 45X/46,XY ovotesticular DSD, one 47,XYY ovotesticular DSD, and two 46,XX/46,XY ovotesticular DSD). The type and the percentage of patients with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism were as follows: Four cases of mix gonadal dysgenesis, four cases of partial gonadal dysgenesis, two cases of complete gonadal dysgenesis, one case of ovotesticular DSD. On the other hand, another patient that has 45,X/46,XX mosaicism was diagnosed with MGD with the presence of the streak gonad on the right side and the testis on the other side.

CONCLUSION

We suggest that sex chromosome DSD categorization can include 45,X/46,XY PGD and 45,X/46,XY CGD. Mixed gonadal dysgenesis may be also placed among the disorders of testicular differentiation of 46,XY DSD subdivision.

Gender identity and gender role orientation in female assigned patients with disorders of sex development

PURPOSE

Gender identity and gender role orientation were assessed in 24 female assigned patients with disorders of sex development.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 16 patients were prenatally exposed to androgens, of whom 15 had congenital adrenal hyperplasia and 1 was virilized due to maternal tumor. Eight patients had 46,XY karyotype, of whom 5 had partial and 3 had complete androgen insensitivity syndrome. Gender identity was measured by the 27-item Gender Identity/Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire for Adolescents and Adults with 167 female medical students as controls, and gender role was assessed by the femininity and masculinity subscales of the 30-item Bem Sex Role Inventory with 104 female and 64 male medical students as controls.

RESULTS

No patient reached the cutoff for gender identity disorder on the Gender Identity/Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire for Adolescents and Adults. However, patients with 46,XY karyotype demonstrated a somewhat more conflicted gender identity, although the overall differences were relatively small. As to gender role orientation, patients with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome had high scores on the femininity and masculinity scales of the Bem Sex Role Inventory, which made them the most androgynous group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings, although clinically not clear cut, suggest that patients with disorders of sex development are a heterogeneous group regarding gender identity and gender role outcomes, and that this issue should be discussed with the family when treatment plans are made.

DSD and Professionalism from a Multilateral View: Supplementing the Consensus Statement on the Basis of a Qualitative Survey

Treatment and support of a child with DSD calls for experience and expertise in diagnosis, surgical techniques, understanding of psychosocial issues, and recognizing and accepting the significance of individual values of children, families, and support groups. The range of what is considered “appropriate” care and treatment is still very broad and critics point at major gaps between ethical guidelines and current clinical practice. Based on a qualitative study with 27 members of multidisciplinary teams and support groups, we supplement the professional consensus statements and current ethical guidelines with 14 requirements from four different perspectives, to characterize more fully the responsible treatment and support of children and families affected by DSD. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of close collaborations between different experts and a shift from the often simplified dispute about genital surgeries to a more holistic perspective with a long-term management strategy, which should serve as a cornerstone not only for clinical practice but also for future research and evaluation studies.

Do surgical interventions influence psychosexual and cosmetic outcomes in women with disorders of sex development?

Clinical practice developed to promote psychosexual well-being in DSD is under scrutiny. Although techniques for genital surgery have much improved lately, long-term studies on psychosexual functioning and cosmetic outcome on which to base treatment and counseling are scarce. We studied 91 women with a DSD. Feminizing surgery was performed in 64% of the women; in 60% of them, resurgery in puberty was needed after a single-stage procedure. Both patients and gynecologists were satisfied with the cosmetic appearance of the genitalia. However, forty percent of these females experienced sexuality-related distress and 66% was at risk for developing a sexual dysfunction, whether they had surgery or not. Recognizing the difficulty of accurate assessment, our data indicate that feminizing surgery does not seem to improve nor hamper psychosexual outcome, especially in patients with severe virilization.

Current concepts in disorders of sexual development

Disorders of sex development (DSD) with or without ambiguous genitalia require medical attention to reach a definite diagnosis. Advances in identification of molecular causes of abnormal sex, heightened awareness of ethical issues and this necessitated a re-evaluation of nomenclature. The term DSD was proposed for congenital conditions in which chromosomal, gonadal or anatomical sex is atypical. In general, factors influencing sex determination are transcriptional regulators, whereas factors important for sex differentiation are secreted hormones and their receptors. The current intense debate on the management of patients with intersexuality and related conditions focus on four major issues: 1) aetiological diagnosis, 2) assignment of gender, 3) indication for and timing of genital surgery, 4) the disclosure of medical information to the patient and his/her parents. The psychological and social implications of gender assignment require a multidisciplinary approach and a team which includes ageneticist, neonatologist, endocrinologist, gynaecologist, psychiatrist, surgeon and a social worker. Each patient should be evaluated individually by multidisciplinary approach.