Ultrasound in Ambiguous Genitalia

Ambiguous genitalia and intersex.

Intersex disorders are rare congenital malformations with over 80% being diagnosed with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). It can be challenging to determine the correct gender at birth and a detailed understanding of the embryology and anatomy is crucial. The birth of a child with intersex is a true emergency situation and an immediate transfer to a medical center familiar with the diagnosi...

Ambiguous Genitalia in the Newborn

Efficient and accurate evaluation of the newborn who has ambiguous genitalia is required to provide appropriate medical therapy and assuage parental anxiety. Genital ambiguity usually is due to virilization of genetic females or undervirilization of genetic males who have normal gonads. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is the most common condition leading to inappropriate virilization in females....

Surgery for Female Ambiguous Genitalia

Historically, in female pseudohermaphrodites a staged procedure with early clitoral reduction and delayed vaginoplasty was often the treatment of choice. In recent years several authors have described 1-stage genitoplasty that is performed in the first year of life. The 1stage procedure for clitoroplasty and vaginal exteriorization is preferable for an optimal functional and cosmetic result. Be...

Early assessment of ambiguous genitalia.

T o discover that there is uncertainty about the sex of one’s newborn baby is devastating and often incomprehensible for most parents. It is paramount that clear explanations and investigations are commenced promptly, and that no attempt is made to guess the sex of the baby. Extreme sensitivity is required, and ideally the baby should be managed in a tertiary centre by a multidisciplinary team ...

Ambiguous genitalia: An approach to its diagnosis