Disclosing Disorders of Sex Development and Opening the Doors

This paper focuses on the importance of full disclosure in disorders of sex development (DSD), as a universal human right and closely related to informed consent. Full disclosure is not only a way of communicating a diagnosis, it is a methodological constant that permeates all the clinical moments expressed by a multidisciplinary team. As stated by The Chicago consensus, DSD should be referred to specialized centers of excellence. In these centers provided with the necessary multidisciplinary team that is able to: provide knowledge, skills and experience; deliver quality and care, and cope with the emotional barriers that often hinder the practice of full disclosure. Full disclosure is important when a person is informed about something, can participate in making a decision or is advised about something that needs to be done before he/she will be able to make a choice. However, if a person is informed about something that was done unnecessarily and could have been postponed until he/she could have been involved in making the decision, full disclosure can be seen as deception colored by rage, sorrow and regret. Copyright (c) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel