Peer-reviewed article
Ambiguous genitalia in a male patient misidentified as female, leading to inappropriate circumcision: A rare case report.
Alasow MOD, Uz M, Mohamed KA, Osman FAO, Jama SMA et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view ·Key points
Limitations
Abstract
Ambiguous genitalia, a rare condition involving external genitalia that do not conform to typical male or female presentations, is often indicative of disorders of sexual development (DSD). A 12-year-old child from Somalia was initially assigned female due to ambiguous genitalia, including an enlarged clitoral structure and scrotal sac that the family mistakenly thought was a labia majora. This led to an inappropriate circumcision, mistaking the penis for a clitoris. The child was raised as female until secondary male sexual characteristics appeared at age 11, prompting medical evaluation. Diagnostic investigations confirmed the presence of male gonads and a typical male anatomical configuration. This case underscores the importance of early and comprehensive diagnostic evaluation to prevent misdiagnosis and inappropriate interventions. Improved healthcare awareness, access to specialized care, and a multidisciplinary approach to managing DSDs are crucial to prevent physical and psychological harm.