Differences of Sex Development Clinic

The Differences of Sex Development (DSD) Clinic at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is a multidisciplinary clinic that serves and cares for children with differences of sex development, from birth into young adulthood. Patients are often diagnosed as infants, but some can grow up to be teenagers without ever receiving a diagnosis. Our team of providers specializing in endocrinology, genetics, gynecology, psychology and urology work together with patients and their families to develop a comprehensive care plan and provide treatment.

Conditions we treat:

• 5-alpha reductase deficiency (5-AR deficiency)
• 17-beta reductase deficiency (XX or XY)
• 46,XX/46,XY (ovotesticular DSD)
• 46,XY 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency (HSD deficiency)
• 46,XY cloacal exstrophy
• 46,XY micropenis
• Aphallia
• Clitoromegaly
• Complete androgen insensitivity
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)
• Gonadal dysgenesis (complete and partial)
• Kallmann syndrome
• Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome
(also known as Müllerian agenesis or vaginal agenesis)
• Mixed gonadal dysgenesis
• Partial androgen insensitivity
• Persistent Müllerian duct syndrome
• Proximal hypospadias
• Sex chromosome mosaicism
• Swyer syndrome (46,XY gonadal dysgenesis)
• Testosterone biosynthetic defects
• Turner syndrome (45,X) and mosaic Turner syndrome

*The DSD Clinic does not include isolated gender dysphoria or transgender care.

Our DSD Clinic is held on the second Friday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon in the Judson L. Hawk Jr., MD, Clinic for Children at the Center for Advanced Pediatrics. Our collaborative team works to provide a wide range of medical and surgical care that includes:

• Providing accurate diagnoses. In light of new technology, some expecting families can now receive a prenatal diagnosis.
• Offering prenatal counseling to families with a suspected diagnosis of DSD.
• Developing individualized treatment plans.
• Supporting patients throughout their pediatric years as they grow into adulthood.

Our coordinated, multidisciplinary team consists of providers from multiple specialties, as well as a dedicated case manager and social worker, who provide coordination, serve as a primary point of contact, and work with your family to find resources to help care for and support your child. Our entire team is specially trained to work with children and teens. As part of one of the largest pediatric healthcare providers in the country, the DSD Clinic at Children’s has access to resources and expertise that are unmatched in the region.

Led by our DSD core team, each of the providers in our program has knowledge and expertise in caring for children with a wide range of medical and surgical needs. As a child’s care plan is developed, families may be introduced to other services and providers across Children’s who may help with the care of their child. Call 404-785-KIDS (5437) or email dsd@choa.org if you have questions or would like additional information.

Core team providers

Endocrinology

• Brooke Anderson, MD

Genetics

• Hong Li, MD
• Eileen Barr, MS, CGC

Gynecology

• Nancy Sokkary, MD

Psychology

• Kindell Schoffner, PsyD

Urology

• Michael Garcia-Roig, MD
• Andrew Kirsch, MD

Case management

• Megan Sasena, RN

Social work

• Sowmya Garton 

The following resources provide additional information on differences of sexual development, including an overview of certain conditions, frequently asked questions, support groups and more.

Center for Advanced Pediatrics
2174 North Druid Hills Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30329

Children’s Egleston Hospital
1405 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30322

Children’s Scottish Rite Hospital
1001 Johnson Ferry Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30342-1605