The American Academy of Pediatrics, the nation’s premier association of pediatricians, plans to review the evidence for gender-affirming medical care and potentially amend its policies that help guide doctors and clinicians providing the treatment to transgender youth.The exact scope of the review has yet to be determined, but is expected to include an evaluation of medical interventions such as puberty blockers and hormones, which are in some cases used to delay puberty or boost physical features associated with a gender different from the patient’s sex at birth.The process, known as a systematic evidence review, typically looks at all relevant evidence behind any given treatment, adjusting for bias and other potential flaws. It will be conducted by an external organization, according to a person familiar with the matter.In Europe, systematic evidence reviews have led to at least five European countries—the U.K., Sweden, Finland, Norway and France—to urge more caution in the use of puberty blockers and other medical interventions, noting that there isn’t enough evidence to support claims that the benefits outweigh the risks.
Source: Doctors Group to Examine Guidelines for Treatment of Transgender Youths – WSJ