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The clinical profile of patients attending a large, Australian pediatric gender service: A 10-year review

M. Tollit, T. May, T. Maloof, Michelle Telfer, D. Chew, M. Engel, Kenneth C. Pang

International Journal of Transgender Health, 2021

359 participants · 26 citations

Abstract

Objectives: To better understand the clinical profile of patients attending a large Australian pediatric gender service. Retrospective clinical audit of patients seen at the Royal Children's Hospital Gender Service (RCHGS) over 10 years (2007-16). Setting: The RCHGS: Australia's largest pediatric gender service. Participants: Patients were eligible for inclusion if they had an appointment with the RCHGS between January 2007 - December 2016, and had either a self-reported gender which differed from what was presumed for them at birth or sought guidance regarding gender identity/expression. Main outcome measures: Demographic/developmental history, clinical presentation including information about gender identity/dysphoria, comorbidities, self-harm, suicidal ideation, gender-affirming treatment, psychosocial functioning. Results: 359 patients were first seen during the study period. Assigned females (54%) slightly outnumbered assigned males (46%), and presented at an older age (14.8 vs 12.4 years. Patients predominantly identified as transgender (87.2%) or non-binary (7.2%). Across the cohort, gender diversity was evident from a young age (median age 3), and symptoms of gender dysphoria were noted earlier in assigned males (median age 4) than assigned females (median age 11). Although 81% of patients met eligibility for GD, rates of hormonal treatment were much lower, with 29% of young people ≥10 years of age receiving puberty blocking treatment and 38% of adolescents ≥ 16…

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