Search
Powered By HealthLine
Special Offers
Health Tools
 Menopause Introduction
 STD Symptoms
 Your Love Life
 Sex Tips & Advice
 STD Prevention
 Ask The Gynecologist
 Safe Sex & STDs
 The Basics of Herpes
 Solve A Sexual Problem
 Herpes Q&A
 The Basics of ED
Featured Conditions
 Breast Cancer
 Erectile Dysfunction
 Menopause
 Incontinence
 Skin Care
 Food & Fitness
 Herpes
 Sexual Health
Resources
Healthscout News
3D Health Animations
Health Videos
Quizzes & Tools
Health Encyclopedia
In-Depth Reports
Library & Communities
News Archive
Drug Library
Find a Therapist
Enter City or Zip Code:
Powered by Psychology Today
PR Newswire
 Read latest







Channels
Home |  Today | Women| Men| Kids| Seniors| Diseases| Addictions| Sex & Relationships| Diet, Fitness, Looks| Alternative Medicine| Drug Checker
Medical Health Encyclopedia
 border=





Ambiguous genitalia

Alternative Names:
Genitals - ambiguous

Home Care:

Because of the potential social and psychological effects of this condition, the decision to raise the child as male or female should be made early after diagnosis, preferably within the first few days of the infant's life.



Call your health care provider if:
  • You are concerned about the appearance of your child's external genitalia.
  • Your baby takes more than 2 weeks to regain his/her birthweight, is vomiting, looks dehydrated (dry inside of mouth, no tears when crying, less than 4 wet diapers per 24 hours, eyes look sunken in), has decreased appetite, has blue spells, or has trouble breathing (these can all be signs of congenital adrenal hyperplasia).
Text Continues Below



Ambiguous genitalia may be discovered during the first well-baby examination.



What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The doctor will perform a physical examination, which may reveal a genital structure that is not "typical male" or "typical female," but somewhere in between. The doctor will ask medical history questions, such as:

  • family history questions to help identify inherited chromosomal disorders
    • Is there any family history of miscarriage?
    • Is there any family history of stillbirth?
    • Is there any family history of early death?
    • Have any family members had infants who died in the first few weeks of life or who had ambiguous genitalia?
    • Is there any family history of any of the disorders that cause ambiguous genitalia (see the Common Causes section)?
  • medications
    • What medications has the mother taken before or during pregnancy (especially steroids)?
  • other
    • What other symptoms or abnormalities are also present?

Page:  1 | 2 | Next >>

 







About The HealthScout Network Contact Us
Copyright © 2001-2009. The HealthCentralNetwork, Inc. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy: Updated as of April 1, 2009  Terms of Service   Site Map
Advertising Policy