Intersex : case report and discussion

Abstract

This case illustrates one type of intersex, the term denoting the condition in patients whose sex characteristics are incompletely differentiated. The case is reported of a child with congenital malformation of the external genitalia who was brought up as a girl but has now, at the age of 25, been found to be a male. The factors determining sex and the various clinical types of intersex are discussed. This individual who has been taught to be female and has been reared as female all through infancy, childhood and youth is, in fact, a male. He is suffering from bifid scrotum, with undescended testicles and hypospadias. One testicle is palpable in the left part of the scrotum. In managing this patient the psychological trauma he was suffering from had first to be dealt with. The patient felt male and wanted to lead a male life. The second step in the management of the patient is to correct as far as possible the congenital abnormalities of the male genitalia.