American Academy of Pediatrics Recognizes Intersex Awareness Day

On Oct. 26, Intersex Awareness Day, the American Academy of Pediatrics joins in supporting families of children born with differences of sex development. The AAP and its 66,000 member pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists are committed to the health and dignity of all children, including children who do not easily fit into binary gender categories.

"We all share the same goal of healthy, happy children," said American Academy of Pediatrics President Fernando Stein, MD, FAAP. "When a child is born with any type of congenital difference, parents will have many questions for the medical team, including what caused it and what will happen to their child. Pediatricians have the responsibility to offer useful and reliable information, to help the parents access specialists, and to coordinate the child's care. Above all, it's important to support the child and family."

The care of children with differences of sex development is an evolving field, and the AAP looks forward to additional research regarding treatment outcomes. Meanwhile, the AAP is committed to continued dialogue regarding the best ways to support these children and their families.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 66,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org.