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A non-surgical approach to 46,XY differences in sex development through hormonal suppression at puberty: a single-center case series study

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Abstract

Purpose

We aim to report outcomes and safety with hormonal suppression to facilitate gonadal preservation in a select group of patients with 46,XY differences in sex development (DSD) who are raised and identify as female yet have diagnoses with potential for androgenization at puberty.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of the past 10 years of DSD patients treated by a multidisciplinary program. Inclusion criteria were 46,XY DSD, female sex of rearing, risk of androgenization at puberty, and plan for hormonal suppression at puberty. Patients on hormonal suppression had at least 6 months of follow-up from initiation. We excluded those with complete gonadal dysgenesis or complete androgen insensitivity.

Results

Four patients met inclusion criteria. Initial evaluation by DSD team was at a mean age of 6.6 years (3 weeks–16 years). All patients were evaluated in a coordinated multidisciplinary clinic. The diagnoses are listed in Table 1. Mean follow-up was 5.7 years (1.2–10.9 years). One patient presented as an infant, and is being monitored until Tanner stage 2 and/or serum hormonal evidence to initiate hormonal suppression. Three patients have been receiving hormonal suppression for 1.4 years (1.1–1.9 years) without side effects or complication. Three patients were initiated with estrogen replacement to promote desired breast development. At last follow-up, all patients had retained their gonads, all have female gender identity with no reported gender dysphoria, and no progression of androgenization.

Conclusions

In our initial experience, gonadal preservation with hormonal suppression is a tool in multidisciplinary management of select DSD patients with female gender identity with conditions associated with androgenization at puberty. Patients’ growth, bone health, and overall psychosocial well-being will need to be monitored closely.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Seattle Children’s Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA

    Katie L. Canalichio, Margarett Shnorhavorian, Anne-Marie Amies Oelschlager, Linda Ramsdell, Christina Fisher, Margaret P. Adam & Patricia Y. Fechner

  2. University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA

    Katie L. Canalichio, Margarett Shnorhavorian, Anne-Marie Amies Oelschlager, Margaret P. Adam & Patricia Y. Fechner

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  1. Katie L. Canalichio
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Correspondence to Katie L. Canalichio.

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Canalichio, K.L., Shnorhavorian, M., Oelschlager, AM.A. et al. A non-surgical approach to 46,XY differences in sex development through hormonal suppression at puberty: a single-center case series study. Endocrine 70, 170–177 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-020-02409-y

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