Baby Girl's Genitals Change After Father's Testosterone Gel Exposure
A Swedish baby girl has developed unusual genitalia after being exposed to testosterone gel from her father. The case highlights the potential risks of hormone medications, particularly when used by parents in close contact with their children.
The baby's father, suffering from hypogonadism, had been applying testosterone gel to his chest. Unbeknownst to him, the hormone medication was absorbed through his skin and transferred to his daughter during skin-to-skin contact, a common practice known as 'kangaroo care'. The baby's genitals began to change, developing an elongated clitoris and fused labia, resembling male genitalia. This condition is not to be confused with 'micropenis', which refers to underdeveloped male genitalia. Once the father stopped using the gel, the baby's genitals began to revert to their normal appearance.
This is not an isolated incident. Professor Lars-Åke Engwall, a Swedish doctor, has seen at least six similar cases involving young children exposed to hormone medication through close contact with a parent. The rise in popularity of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), with over 11 million prescriptions in the US last year, has raised concerns about potential side effects. These can include acne, fluid retention, testicular shrinkage, reduced fertility, and worsened sleep apnea, not just in the user but also in those in close contact.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks of hormone medications, particularly when used by parents in close contact with their children. Health professionals should advise patients about these risks, and parents should be cautious when using such medications around their children.
Read also:
- Recommendations propose stricter controls on MMRV immunizations, as suggested by Kennedy's advisory group
- Mourning a Mother's Death: Strategies for Daughters to Find Comfort
- Distinguishing between a cold and allergies is crucial for providing relief to your children's respiratory issues
- Carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis: Characteristics, origins, remedies
