WASHINGTON (TND) — Childhood gender dysphoria diagnoses and the number of American children receiving gender-transitioning treatment, such as puberty blockers, have skyrocketed in recent years, according to data obtained by Reuters.
An analysis of health information technology company Komodo Health Inc. data reveals the number of children aged 6 to 17 diagnosed with gender dysphoria increased by 70% between 2020 and 2021. Overall, more than 120,000 children face the psychological distress that may result in those whose gender identity differs from their biological sex.
Meanwhile, the rate of those on puberty-blocking medications and receiving hormone treatments more than doubled from 2017 to 2021. However, these numbers only include children whose medical records specify a gender dysphoria diagnosis or whose treatment is covered by insurance.
It is not immediately clear what has contributed to these jumps.
One factor may be the increased endorsements of gender care for minors, as well as the relaxed access. Last month, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) removed age requirements for gender-affirming treatment and surgery. This followed a leaked draft version of the organization's recommendations indicated WPATH's plan to lower the age from 16 to 14.
WPATH has also ceased to provide an age recommendation for gender-reassignment surgeries, instead indicating they could be considered in minors.
"There may be a benefit for some adolescents to having these procedures performed before the age of 18," the guidelines read.
There has also been an increase in the number of pediatric gender clinics over the last decade. The Society for Evidence Based Gender Medicine (SEGM) estimates more than 300 clinics and medical offices in the U.S. that provide "hormonal interventions" to minors.
Overall, the number of young people who identify as transgender has significantly increased in recent years. A study conducted by the University of California Los Angeles Williams Institute finds that nearly a fifth of the total transgender population in the US is between the ages of 13 and 17.
Critics have cautioned against children receiving gender-transitioning treatments, such as puberty blockers. The American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds) has said there is no evidence that these type of treatments are safe for children, and that youth transition is experimental. It also stresses that there is currently no scientific support that gender-corrective treatments reduce the risk of suicide in gender dysphoric children.
An average of 80% of gender dysphoric children ultimately decide not to continue into adulthood as transgender.
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