Ambiguous genitalia

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Coping and support

By Mayo Clinic staff

Not knowing the sex of your newborn immediately can turn a hoped-for celebration into a stressful crisis. Until the medical evaluation is complete, you may have to avoid thinking of the child as either a boy or a girl. You may choose to defer formally announcing the birth until the testing is complete and you've come up with a plan with your medical team. You'll want to give yourself enough time to learn and think about the issue before answering questions from family and friends.

Mental health providers can help you deal with this difficult and unexpected set of circumstances. In addition to ongoing counseling for your family, you may benefit from a support group, either in person or online.

References
  1. Baskin LS. Abnormalities of sexual determination & differentiation. In: Tanagho EA, et al. Smith's General Urology. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content/aspx?aID=3131473. Accessed Jan. 4, 2010.
  2. Houk CP, et al. Evaluation of the infant with ambiguous genitalia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 4, 2010.
  3. Houk CP, et al. Management of the infant with ambiguous genitalia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 4, 2010.
  4. Cunningham FG, et al. Fetal growth and development. In: Cunningham FG, et al. Williams Obstetrics. 23rd ed. New York, N.Y.: Mc-Graw Hill; 2005. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=6037835. Accessed Jan. 4, 2010.
  5. Kajbafzadeh A-M, et al. Detubularized pedicled vaginal onlay flap urethroplasty: A new method for hypospadias repair of ambiguous genitalia. The Journal of Urology. 2008;180:2159.
  6. Hackam DJ, et al. Pediatric surgery. In: Brunicardi FC, et al. Schwartz's Principles of Surgery. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: Mc-Graw Hill; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5029784. Accessed Jan. 4, 2010.
  7. Diamond DA. Sexual differentiation: Normal and abnormal. In: Wein AJ, ed. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/177172771-6/935283878. Accessed Jan. 4, 2010.
  8. Crouch NS, et al. Sexual function and genital sensitivity following feminizing genitoplasty for congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The Journal of Urology. 2008;179:634.
DS00668 Jan. 29, 2010

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