Gender affirming treatment in minors with gender dysphoria and the validity of informed consent

Abstract

In pediatric medical practice, there is the case of children and young persons under 18 with gender dysphoria or gender discordance, characterized by an incongruity between biological sex and gender identity. In this way, the medical and juridical possibility of gender affirmation treatment is offered to minors. Although this treatment has been endorsed by some scientific associations, it has also been the subject of serious questioning due to the possible irreversibility of the procedures performed on the minor's body. For this reason, although the law recognizes some autonomy to the minor to make the decision to initiate a gender affirmation treatment, the lack of maturity to understand and assume the information that is provided could affect the validity of the informed consent.