According to new research published in JAMA Pediatrics, childhood mastectomies have increased by 389 percent from 2016 to 2019.
As reported by Faithwire, about 100 children underwent chest reconstruction surgeries, such as double mastectomies, in 2016. In 2019, however, that number surged to 489 — a 389 percent increase.
Statistics compiled by the Nationwide Ambulatory Surgery Sample show that roughly 1,130 chest reconstruction surgeries were performed on children between 2016 to 2019.
Over 98 percent of those procedures were masculinizing, meaning they were performed on females who had their breasts removed. Conversely, just 1.4 percent were feminizing mammaplasties, which augment breast tissue.
The findings also showed that nearly 20 percent of children who underwent "gender-affirming" surgeries received hormone therapy, which was likely prescribed to address their gender dysphoria.
While genital or "bottom" surgeries are "typically not performed on adolescents," researchers acknowledged chest procedures "may be performed in outpatient and ambulatory surgery settings."
The new research also notes that the ages of patients who underwent double mastectomies ranged from 12 to 17 years old, with the majority being 17. Meanwhile, approximately 5.5 percent were reportedly under 14 years old.
According to the researchers, about 300,000 adolescents in the United States between the ages of 13 and 17 identify as transgender.
The publication of the findings comes after the Vanderbilt Pediatric Gender Clinic, which is part of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, announced it has suspended permanent transgender surgeries for minors amid a pending investigation into the clinic's ethical practices.
Earlier this week, Michigan Republican lawmakers introduced a bill that would categorize gender transition surgeries and other procedures on minors as first-degree child abuse. Meanwhile, a similar law in Arkansas is currently being contested in a court battle.
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Nicky Ebbage
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.
