Rare Birth Defect Leads to Unique Medical Decision in Iran

TEHRAN, Iran – In a case that has sparked both medical curiosity and ethical debate, a baby boy born in Iran was found to have aphallia, an extremely rare congenital condition characterized by the complete absence of the penis. Doctors at a hospital in Tehran made the unprecedented decision to forgo reconstructive surgery and instead support the child’s advancement along female lines, initiating hormone therapy and creating a pseudo-vagina. The case highlights the complex medical and ethical considerations surrounding gender assignment in cases of severe genital malformations.