After a peculiar incident where a baby girl in Sweden developed what appeared to be a ‘micropenis’ due to frequent skin contact with her father, experts voiced concerns over the terminology used.
The unusual event involved a newborn girl developing a penis-like structure after being in close contact with her father, and it took ten months to identify the root of the issue.
This incident occurred in Sweden, which has recorded about six similar cases.
Professor Jovanna Dahlgren, an authority in pediatric endocrinology at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, cautioned parents against certain products. These can result in baby girls developing what resembles a ‘micropenis’ due to exposure.
The girl’s condition arose after she was placed on her father’s bare chest, leading to an elongation of her clitoris, making it appear like a small penis, while her labia fused, resembling a scrotum.
What led to this condition?
It was discovered that the girl’s father had been applying a testosterone gel, a product designed to supplement men with insufficient hormone production.
This gel is supposed to be dried and concealed, with the Mayo Clinic advising that users ‘allow the skin to air-dry, then cover with clothing to prevent others from contacting the medication on your skin’.
Unbeknownst to him, the father placed his baby directly on his chest, inadvertently exposing her to the gel’s hormone.
Upon medical consultation, it was found that the baby had elevated levels of testosterone in her bloodstream, causing the micropenis-like appearance.
The use of the term ‘micropenis’ in reference to the girl’s condition has sparked debate among experts.
The term typically describes male genital features, not female ones.
According to Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, a micropenis is defined as ‘a penis that is smaller than normal’.
“The normal length of a newborn boy’s penis is 1.1 to 1.6 inches,” it notes.
A penis under 0.75 inches qualifies as a micropenis.
Stanford explains that a micropenis can occur naturally or be linked with other conditions.
These disorders might involve hormone imbalances affecting the growth of sexual organs.
Treatment varies based on the child’s symptoms, age, and health.
It also depends on the micropenis’s severity.
“Hormone therapy may be used for some children. These can help to cause penile growth. In some cases, your child may need surgery,” according to Stanford.
Once the girl ceased exposure to the testosterone, her genitalia gradually resumed normal dimensions. Professor Dahlgren noted that she has encountered other cases like this since.
She advises parents to be mindful of exposing their children to hormones.
For male infants, a micropenis might be a lifelong characteristic.