Addressing gaps in care of people with conditions affecting sex development and maturation.

Abstract

Differences of sex development are conditions with discrepancies between chromosomal, gonadal and phenotypic sex. In congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, a lack of gonadotropin activity results primarily in the absence of pubertal development with prenatal sex development being (almost) unaffected in most patients. To expedite progress in the care of people affected by differences of sex development and congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, the European Union has funded a number of scientific networks. Two Actions of the Cooperation of Science and Technology (COST) programmes — DSDnet (BM1303) and GnRH Network (BM1105) — provided the framework for ground-breaking research and allowed the development of position papers on diagnostic procedures and special laboratory analyses as well as clinical management. Both Actions developed educational programmes to increase expertise and promote interest in this area of science and medicine. In this Perspective article, we discuss the success of the COST Actions DSDnet and GnRH Network and the European Reference Network for Rare Endocrine Conditions (Endo–ERN), and provide recommendations for future research.

Overview publication

TitleAddressing gaps in care of people with conditions affecting sex development and maturation.
DateAugust 12th, 2019
Issue nameNature Reviews Endocrinology
Issue numbervolume 15, pages 615–622, 2019
AuthorsHiort O, Cools M, Springer A, McElreavey K, Greenfield A, Wudy S, Kulle A, Ahmed S, Dessens A, Balsamo A, Maghnie M, Bonomi M, Dattani M, Persani L & Audi L
InfoOn behalf of COST Actions DSDnet and GnRH Network as well as the European Reference Network for Rare Endocrine Conditions (Endo–ERN)
MTGsMTG7
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