Disorders/Differences in Sex Development

Dear Colleagues,

Differences/disorders of sex development (DSD) represent a heterogeneous group of congenital conditions, affecting sex determination, gonadal and/or external genitalia development. The current classification includes three main groups of DSD: sex chromosomal DSD, 46, XY DSD and 46, XX DSD according to the karyotype of the individuals. Usually, patients with atypical genitalia are diagnosed in early childhood, while other DSD patients might be diagnosed late in adolescence or adulthood due to delayed pubertal development and/or infertility. Since DSD encompass a wide spectrum of rare diagnoses and variations; evidence-based specific guidelines are lacking for many of the conditions, especially in adults. Therefore, the collection of additional information about individuals with DSD is paramount for the development of new clinical recommendations based on sufficient data. The optimal DSD management in adulthood requires a multidisciplinary approach, thus, collective efforts of endocrinologists, gynecologists, urologists, psychologists, geneticists, social workers and many other specialists are necessary. Close interrelations between pediatric and adult health care services will significantly improve DSD care.
The development of assisted reproductive techniques will provide hope for fertility in many individuals with DSD. Close monitoring of these pregnancies by different specialists may help to improve the chance of fertility in DSD patients.
This special issue aims to collect original research, reviews and case reports focused on DSD. The different points of view presented by different specialties will provide new information on these rare conditions.

Assoc. Prof. Ralitsa Robeva

Guest Editor

Manuscripts should be submitted via our online editorial system at https://imr.propub.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to start your submission. Manuscripts can be submitted now or up until the deadline. All papers will go through peer-review process. Accepted papers will be published in the journal (as soon as accepted) and meanwhile listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, reviews as well as short communications are preferred. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office to announce on this website.

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