Pediatric Collections: LGBTQ : Support and Care Part 3: Caring for Transgender Children (Pediatric Collections)

Transgender people face alarmingly high rates of verbal harassment and physical violence, including at home and at school. Transgender youths face significant mental health issues as a consequence, including depression and suicidality, anxiety, body image distortion, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Part 3 of this first-of-its-kind 3-part series helps show how pediatric primary care providers (PPCPs) are uniquely situated to screen, identify, and care for transgender and gender-diverse youths. As children and adolescents become increasingly aware of gender diversity, PPCPs should be attentive to physical and emotional cues that point to gender-related distress. Early identification of distress in transgender patients, supported exploration of identity, and affirmation helps foster healthy growth and development in a particularly vulnerable population. It also leads to positive long-term health outcomes, including decreased morbidity and mortality.