Baby's Condition Reversed After Father Stops Using Testosterone Gel
A Swedish baby girl's condition reversed after her father stopped using testosterone gel, highlighting a potential risk of skin-to-skin contact with parents using topical hormone medications. The incident is not an isolated case, with doctors reporting similar occurrences involving young children and hormone medications.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has seen a surge in popularity in the US, with prescriptions jumping from 7.3 million in 2019 to over 11 million in 2021. However, TRT can have side effects, including acne, fluid retention, and reduced fertility. One lesser-known risk is the potential for unintentional exposure to children, particularly through skin-to-skin contact, a common practice known as 'kangaroo care'.
In Sweden, a baby girl developed a 'micropenis' and other male characteristics after lying on her father's bare chest, which had testosterone gel applied due to his hypogonadism. The baby's clitoris elongated, and her labia fused, resembling male genitalia. The condition reversed once her father stopped using the gel and the exposure ceased. A Swedish doctor has seen at least half a dozen similar cases involving young children unintentionally exposed to hormone medication through close contact with a parent. In one case, a 10-year-old boy developed breasts after coming into contact with estrogen cream his mother had been using. To avoid such incidents, it is advised to wash hands thoroughly after applying hormone gels and to rinse the treated area before any skin-to-skin contact.
While skin-to-skin contact is beneficial for newborns and parents, it's crucial for parents using topical hormone medications to take precautions to prevent unintentional exposure. Doctors advise thorough handwashing and rinsing the treated area before contact to ensure the safety and well-being of children.
