Dozens of children aged under 10 have been referred to Scotland’s controversial NHS gender clinic, the Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Two youngsters were under five-years-old when they were referred to the Sandyford Clinic in Glasgow.
In total, 53 children under 10-year-old have been referred to the Sandyford – the only facility for ‘gender identity’ treatment for Scottish children.
Campaigners say they should never have been put forward by doctors or parents for gender assessment at such a young age.
The shock figures – obtained under Freedom of Information by the Scottish Mail on Sunday – sparked concern among campaign groups.
They also come as a potential ban on referrals of under-7s to gender services in England is being considered.
Research led by Dr Andreas Kyriakou, of the department of paediatric endocrinology at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, also found a ‘disproportionate’ number of those attending the clinic had autistic traits, and that a third of patients had a diagnosis of a mental health disorder.