GENDER ASSIGNMENT IN MALE PSEUDOHERMAPHRODITISM - AN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

Parents of 21 out of 30 children with male pseudohermaphroditism (MPH) opted for a male upbringing for their child and appropriate managemen t was instituted. The phallic size in these 21 children varied from ad equate to microphallus, although at least one externally visible testi s was present in all cases. Nine children who were assigned a female g ender were being reared as girls at home prior to medical consultation and 7 of them had a female-type vulvar outlet. This predominance of m ale gender assignment in MPH is in striking contrast to the Western ex perience. The reasons for this difference in India are discussed in th e light of the Indian social and economic background.