Gender disorder hits girls too

GID is a rare condition where there is strong and persistent cross-gender identification and more of those who present early (under 12 years old) are boys, the research found.

Children and adolescents with GID experience significant distress, particularly with the physical changes of puberty.

There may be associated mental health problems and social difficulties.

Consultant paediatricians and child and adolescent psychiatrists across the UK and Republic of Ireland have been reporting any new cases of GID seen among four to 15 year-olds during a 19-month surveillance period.