Ambiguous genitals and the choice of gender.

In 8 children with ambiguous external genitals, sex chromosome, hormonal and histological examinations were performed. On this basis the registered sex and the surname of the child were changed from the registered male to female in 3 cases and from female to male in one case. Diagnosis and the decision about the gender are urgent tasks, since prolonged waiting may have serious consequences in psychosexual development.