IMPE Abstracts

Introduction: Children and adolescents with gender dysphoria are presenting for medical attention at increasing rates. It is important that clinicians understand the specific medical issues that are relevant to this population such as mental health support and hormonal interventions for transgender youth, to ensure optimal outcomes.

Objective: To carry out a retrospective observational description analysis of transgender population referred to follow-up at an endocrinology service of a private universitary hospital.

Results: we analyzed electronic records of 41 patients who are follow-up in a pediatric endocrinology service. Average age at first consultation was 14.5 years old (9-18) Only 2 were at Tanner 2 stage. According to individual's gender identity perception, 31 patients (75 %) defined them as male-trans, 7 (17%) as female-trans and 3 as non-binary gender (7%). Mean age of gender identity self-perception is 12 years old (2-16). 64% of them are under pharmacological psychiatric therapy because of high rates of depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. Regarding hormone therapy 70% (30 patients) are receiving some type of treatment. 16% receive continuous progestogens to inhibit menstruation, and 44 % underwent gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues for a few months (leuprorelin or triptorelin according to availability) and gender-affirming cross-sex hormones subsequently. Until now, 15/30 patients are receiving cross-hormonal therapy with testosterone or estrogen according to perceived identity. Bilateral mastectomy with pectoral reconstruction was performed in 4 transgender males.

Conclusions: In our population, the more frequent gender identity is male trans. Most of the patients are under hormone therapy as part of the transition process. There is a high rate of mental health care. We consider the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to the care of these patients and their families in accordance with international guidelines.