Hermaphroditism: cytogenetics, gonadal pathology and gender assignment: a case report / Hermafroditismo: citogenética, patología gonadal y asignación de género

True hermaphroditism is a rare intersex disorder in which individuals possess both testicular and ovarian gonadal tissue. A case of true unilateral hermaphroditism presenting with ambiguous external genitalia, right scrotal testis and left pelvic ovotestis is herein outlined Phallic, gonadal and genetic factors were considered before male gender was assigned. Gender assignment procedures have been questioned by intersex activists opposed to early genital surgery. Western societies have a binary perspective on gender and this leads to a stigma being placed on intersex cases. A multidisciplinary approach to this problem involving paediatric specialists in the field, of endocrinology, surgery and psychiatry is necessary, along with educational programmes that promote tolerance in society to variations in gender.

Nevirapine-associated rash in a Jamaican child with HIV/AIDS

Nevirapine is one of the first line antiretroviral agents used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS as well as for prophylaxis against mother-to-child transmission of HIV As antiretroviral medication becomes more available it is important for physicians to recognize the major clinical toxicities of these medications. We report a HIV-infected infant who developed a rash with systemic symptoms in association with nevirapine administration

Recent upsurge of tuberculosis in paediatric admissions at the University Hospital of the West Indies

These case reports describe the clinical course of eight children who were admitted to the University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, between July 2000 and November 2001 because of a diagnosis of tuberculosis. This represented an increase in the incidence of the disease in children at this institution. The purpose of this report is to make healthcare workers aware of the resurgence of tuberculosis. The diagnosis of paediatric tuberculosis is challenging and requires a high index of suspicion in the presence of suggestive clinical and laboratory findings. The diagnosis should not be limited to the immunocompromised patient, as in this report the majority of the patients were HIV negative

Torsion of an intra-abdominal testicle in a neonate. Case report and review of the literature

The thirty-ninth reported case of torsion of an intra-abdominal testicle is described in a neonate. The gonad was excised as is recommended because of the high incidence of malignancy (60of 37 cases). Torsion of an intra-abdominal testicle should be considered where an abdominal mass with calcification is found in an infant with undescended testis. Ultrasonography improves the diagnostic accuracy in infants because of the cystic nature of these masses in this age group.

Primary hypophosphatemic rickets: an uncommon cause of bowed legs

This paper describes a 9-year-old girl with primary hypophossphatemic ricketts, an uncommon cause of bowed legs. A simple screening for patients presenting with bowed legs is suggested and the importance of using age-related standards for comparison of biochemical results is emphasized