Experts are issuing a warning after a baby girl grows a ‘microp**is’ after lying on her dad’s bare chest.
The shocking case from Sweden has prompted medical experts to issue urgent warnings to parents, after a baby girl developed significant g**ital changes.
The bizarre incident occurred when the infant repeatedly engaged in skin-to-skin contact with her father’s bare chest, a common and beneficial practice for newborn bonding.
By ten months old, the baby girl had developed profound changes to her g**italia.
Her cl**oris had grown significantly longer, resembling a small p**is, while her l**ia had fused together to resemble male anatomy.
While media reports described this as a ‘microp**is,’ medical professionals clarify that this terminology is incorrect, as microp**is specifically refers to male g**ital conditions, MailOnline confirms.
The concerned parents sought medical attention when they noticed these changes, and blood tests quickly revealed dangerously high testosterone levels in the infant’s system.
Testosterone serves as the primary male hormone, produced mainly in the t**ticles and adrenal glands, per the National Institute of Health.
It drives puberty-related changes, including voice deepening, body hair growth, and g**ital development, while also supporting bone and muscle strength and fat distribution.
While women naturally produce smaller amounts of testosterone through their ovaries and adrenal glands, exposure to excessive levels can cause significant physical changes, particularly in developing children whose hormone systems are still forming.
Research indicates that men’s testosterone levels typically peak around age 20 and decline by approximately 1% annually after age 40.
For most men, this natural decline causes no noticeable changes, but some experience dramatic drops leading to hypogonadism – sometimes called ‘male menopause’ or ‘manopause.’
The father was using a testosterone gel product, an artificial version of the male hormone commonly prescribed to combat low energy and declining s** drive associated with aging.
The baby’s condition was directly linked to the father’s hormone treatment, per the Times of India.
Professor Jovanna Dahlgren, a pediatric endocrinology expert at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, described this case as part of a concerning pattern.
She has documented half a dozen similar incidents and is now speaking out about the risks.
“I don’t think people always understand how potent these treatments are,” Professor Dahlgren told Swedish newspaper Göteborgs-Posten. “The parents become completely desperate when they understand what has happened.”
The expert emphasized that while this particular case occurred eight years ago, she continues to see similar incidents as hormone replacement therapy becomes increasingly popular among parents.
The warning comes as testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) experiences significant growth in the U.K., with private companies increasingly marketing the hormone to men as young as 30 for various symptoms including fatigue, muscle growth, and s**ual function.
While NHS data shows approximately 80,000 men receive testosterone prescriptions through the health service, the total number using private prescriptions remains unknown, per the BBC.
Professor Dahlgren also cited another concerning case where a 10-year-old boy developed breast tissue after exposure to female hormone treatments his mother was taking, highlighting that the risks extend beyond testosterone to all hormone therapies.
Fortunately, once the father ceased exposing his daughter to the testosterone gel, her g**italia gradually returned to normal proportions, and her testosterone levels normalized.
Drug safety authorities have already taken action on this issue. In 2023, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) received reports of a British child experiencing ‘increased growth and g**ital enlargement’ after testosterone gel exposure.
This led to mandatory warnings on testosterone gel products, requiring manufacturers to include instructions for users to wash hands thoroughly and avoid direct skin-to-skin contact with children.
Similar warnings apply to women taking testosterone and other hormone-based medications for menopause treatment, emphasizing the need to prevent accidental exposure to both adults and children.
Medical experts emphasize that parents using any hormone treatments must take several precautions to ensure the safety of their children and others around them.
It is crucial to wash hands thoroughly after applying the medication and to allow the treated areas to air-dry completely before coming into contact with others.
Treated areas should be covered with clothing to minimize the risk of accidental exposure, and direct skin-to-skin contact with children should be avoided altogether.
Parents should also be mindful of the potency of the hormone treatments they are using, as even small amounts can have significant effects if transferred.
If children begin to show any unusual physical changes, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.