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Ambiguous Genitalia

FACTS:

• This is a condition when the sex of a baby is uncertain at birth because genitals may not appear clearly male or female.
• Development of the sex organs is a four step process in the growing fetus. Problems may arise at any of the four steps causing malformations or incomplete growth.
• Hormonal imbalances and genetic disorders are often the cause.    
• Males may have a very concealed, small or absent penis. The penis may also be “split open” as in hyposadius and difficult to recognize. The testes may be hidden in the abdomen or undeveloped.  The testes may look like female labia.
• Females may have enlarged tissue that resembles a small penis.  Their labia might be closed and resemble a boy’s scrotum.  
• Hormone imbalances may need to be treated.
• Sometimes children with ambiguous genitalia have an increased risk for tumors in the testes or ovary.
• Blood tests are needed to determine the true sex of the child.
• The child should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible.

TREATMENT:

• Treatment options for children with this condition may vary.   Some doctors may perform surgery and recommend hormone replacement therapy.  Others believe that no treatment should be started until the child can express their own wishes about what will be done to their body.
  
• Children with ambiguous genitalia should also be examined for underlying medical problems like salt losing disease, hormone imbalances, and chromosome abnormalities