Baseline characteristics of gender dysphoric youth

Background Limited information is available regarding baseline characteristics of children and adolescents with gender dysphoria (GD). The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe baseline characteristics of pediatric patients referred for GD. Methods A retrospective chart review of pediatric patients with GD referred to the pediatric endocrine clinic between 2002 and 2017 was conducted. Body mass index (BMI) percentiles and z-scores were calculated based on height and weight at the initial visit. Results Seventy-eight patients aged 14.9±2.37 years were identified. Of these, affirmed gender was more often male than female (63% vs. 37%, p=0.024). Although no difference was seen in average BMI z-scores between female to male (FTM) and male to female (MTF) patients, approximately 50% were overweight or obese. A higher incidence of anxiety was present in FTM compared with MTF youth (p=0.05). Fifty-six patients were referred in January 2014 or later, of whom 27% had a history of early expression of GD compared with 55% of those seen prior to 2014 (p=0.061). Conclusions The high prevalence of overweight in TG youth at baseline represents a potential risk for adverse health consequences. There appears to be a change in the age of first manifestation of GD over time.