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. 2024 Apr 18;50(1):73.
doi: 10.1186/s13052-024-01644-7.

Adolescent gender dysphoria management: position paper from the Italian Academy of Pediatrics, the Italian Society of Pediatrics, the Italian Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, the Italian Society of Adolescent Medicine and the Italian Society of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry

Valeria Calcaterra #  1   2 , Gianluca Tornese #  3   4 , Gianvincenzo Zuccotti  5   6 , Annamaria Staiano  7 , Valentino Cherubini  8 , Rossella Gaudino  9 , Elisa Maria Fazzi  10   11 , Egidio Barbi  3   4 , Francesco Chiarelli  12 , Giovanni Corsello  13 , Susanna Maria Roberta Esposito  14 , Pietro Ferrara  15   16 , Lorenzo Iughetti  17 , Nicola Laforgia  18 , Mohamad Maghnie  19   20 , Gianluigi Marseglia  21   22 , Giorgio Perilongo  23   24 , Massimo Pettoello-Mantovani  25 , Martino Ruggieri  26 , Giovanna Russo  27 , Mariacarolina Salerno  28 , Pasquale Striano  19   20 , Giuliana Valerio  29 , Malgorzata Wasniewska  30 ; Italian Academy of Pediatrics, Italian Society of Pediatrics, Italian Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Italian Society of Adolescent Medicine, Italian Society of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry
Collaborators, Affiliations

Adolescent gender dysphoria management: position paper from the Italian Academy of Pediatrics, the Italian Society of Pediatrics, the Italian Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, the Italian Society of Adolescent Medicine and the Italian Society of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry

Valeria Calcaterra et al. Ital J Pediatr. .

Abstract

Background: In response to the imperative need for standardized support for adolescent Gender Dysphoria (GD), the Italian Academy of Pediatrics, in collaboration with the Italian Society of Pediatrics, the Italian Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Italian Society of Adolescent Medicine and Italian Society of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry is drafting a position paper. The purpose of this paper is to convey the author's opinion on the topic, offering foundational information on potential aspects of gender-affirming care and emphasizing the care and protection of children and adolescents with GD.

Main body: Recognizing that adolescents may choose interventions based on their unique needs and goals and understanding that every individual within this group has a distinct trajectory, it is crucial to ensure that each one is welcomed and supported. The approach to managing individuals with GD is a multi-stage process involving a multidisciplinary team throughout all phases. Decisions regarding treatment should be reached collaboratively by healthcare professionals and the family, while considering the unique needs and circumstances of the individual and be guided by scientific evidence rather than biases or ideologies. Politicians and high court judges should address discrimination based on gender identity in legislation and support service development that aligns with the needs of young people. It is essential to establish accredited multidisciplinary centers equipped with the requisite skills and experience to effectively manage adolescents with GD, thereby ensuring the delivery of high-quality care.

Conclusion: Maintaining an evidence-based approach is essential to safeguard the well-being of transgender and gender diverse adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescence; Gender dysphoria; Gender incongruence; Gender-affirming care; Gender-affirming hormone therapy; GnRH analogs; Pediatrics.

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Conflict of interest statement

Giovanni Corsello is Editor in Chief of the Italian Journal of Pediatrics and Giorgio Perilongo is Associate Editor of the Italian Journal of Pediatrics. Other authors declare that they have no competing interests

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