ABNORMALITIES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT

[摘要] A series of 75 patients with abnormalities of sexual development is presented and summarized. Twenty-eight of these patients had manifestations based on a hormonal disturbance, the adreno-genital syndrome. In the remaining 47, there was no evidence of a hormonal imbalance.A classification is given which we have found useful. While the various abnormalities might seem to present a wide variety of deformities, we have felt that placing subjects into rather well-defined groups gives a clearer picture of the methods of therapy which are available for each of them.Of the 75 children, 6 were true hermaphrodites and were proved to have gonads of both sexes. The remaining 69 have been called "pseudohermaphrodites" to indicate that while some parts of the sexual apparatus simulated those of the opposite sex in reality the gonads in each individual were of only 1 sex.From the experience gained in dealing with these 75 children, it has become quite clear that cases of sexual abnormality are handled with the greatest facility and with least disturbance to child and family if the investigations are made in infancy. Then the best plan for handling the case thereafter can be formulated promptly and most intelligently. Adequate study of sexual abnormalities, excepting those in which there is a definite and readily identifiable adrenogenital syndrome, requires pelvic laparotomy to acquire the necessary information. Exploration under general anesthesia can be carried out even in the early days of life with safety and satisfaction.Methods for treating and managing cases in the various groups are briefly outlined.

[学科分类] 儿科学