Pedagogical Handicap Associated with Micropenis and Other CHARGE Syndrome Anomalies of Embryogenesis: Four 46, XY Cases Reared as Girls

Genital hypoplasia (micropenis) and CNS impairments are among multiple anomalies of embryogenesis that are found in association in a syndrome for which the acronym CHARGE has recently been coined. The CNS anomalies are either peripheral or central or both. Their various manifestations are impaired hearing and vision; impaired motor performance and visual-motor coordination; IQ deficit either overall or specific to verbal reasoning or praxic reasoning; and social ineptitude consequent on impaired social maturation. These various impairments constitute a pedagogical handicap which, even though of major severity, is not refractory to clinical treatment and educational therapy.