The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently reiterated its 2018 stance on children who experience gender dysphoria while also urging a comprehensive evaluation of the research regarding the best course of treatment for such kids.
Pediatricians who have reviewed the AAP’s 2018 statement concur that we must shield young people who identify as transgender and gender diverse from prejudice and abuse. Our duty is to safeguard youngsters.
Concerns Over Transgender Medical Interventions
But we don’t believe the 2018 report adheres to the age-old precept of doing no harm. In the 2018 position’s conclusions, it is advised that young people who identify as transgender have access to comprehensive, gender-affirming, and developmentally appropriate medical care that is insurance-covered
While our European peers are banning gender transitions for young people, the growing demand in the US for daily hormone releases into developing bodies or invasive surgical treatments with little proof of benefit is raising more than just eyebrows.
In addition to potentially harming young people in the long run, this push and demand that it be funded by insurance at a time when so many other claims are being rejected further erode public confidence in the US healthcare system.
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FDA Warning on Puberty Blockers for Gender Dysphoria
Due to short-term neurological negative effects, the FDA recently issued a warning against using certain of the puberty blockers. Nobody is aware of the hormones’ long-term effects on developing brains or what these patients’ futures will hold if they are used indefinitely.
14,726 young people with gender dysphoria began hormone therapy from 2017 to 2021 despite the warnings. Additionally, between 2019 and 2021, 832 irreversible operations for gender dysphoria were carried out on minors.
These figures are anticipated to increase because, between those years, the number of diagnoses for gender dysphoria tripled. Detransitioners were not included in the study of 27,000 people, which gathered responses through advocacy groups.
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