FRIDAY, Aug. 4, 2023 (HealthDay News) — A leading U.S. pediatric organization has reaffirmed its support for gender-related treatments in minors, but also plans a systematic review of the medical research.
The move by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to examine research on the treatments is similar to recent moves in England and Sweden. Both limited access to the treatments after their reviews found uncertain evidence for their effectiveness in adolescents, The New York Times reported.
The European changes include a decision in June by England’s National Health Service to restrict the use of puberty blockers to clinical trials. The NHS said “there is not enough evidence to support their safety or clinical effectiveness as a routinely available treatment.” Last year, Sweden’s health care governing body decided the risks of puberty-inhibiting and gender-affirming hormone treatments outweigh the benefits for those younger than 18 years.
“The board has confidence that the existing evidence is such that the current policy is appropriate,” said Mark Del Monte, chief executive of the AAP, which represents 67,000 pediatricians. “At the same time, the board recognized that additional detail would be helpful here.”
The AAP issued a statement on gender-related treatments in 2018, and it is customary for the group to reevaluate position statements after five years, The Times reported. The 2018 statement said the treatments were essential and should be covered by health insurers. The group’s 16-member board reaffirmed the guidelines Thursday.
After the new review is complete, the organization plans to issue additional clinical guidance for doctors. It is also likely to update its recommendations at that time.
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