Multidisciplinary care addressing the whole child

The ovaries and testes develop early in a fetus, in a complex process that involves many steps. It begins when the sperm fertilizes the egg, and a fetus’s 23rd pair of chromosomes includes either two X chromosomes (female) or an X and Y chromosome (male). Resulting hormonal signals then trigger the internal and external genitalia to develop into male or female in the fetus. A disorder of sexual development happens when this complex process is disrupted or altered due to chromosomal abnormalities or a problem with the production of sex hormones. 

Because this disorder can be related to several of the body’s systems, your child will need comprehensive treatment and a care team that can address the complexity of their diagnosis. The multidisciplinary team of experts at Children’s Health includes urologists, endocrinologists, psychologists and geneticists, all specializing in pediatric care. Our goal is to help you understand your child’s specific condition and work with you to develop a treatment plan that takes into consideration your child’s mental and physical well-being.