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How a baby girl in Sweden grew a ‘micropenis' from lying on her father's chest
The 10-month-old baby girl in Sweden would often lie on her father's bare chest, a common skin-to-skin practice known to support early development and strengthen the parent-child connection. AI-generated representative image
As bizarre as it sounds, a 10-month-old baby girl in Sweden started developing a 'micro-penis', all because she often lay on her father's bare chest, who had applied testosterone gel.
And this isn't an isolated case.
A Swedish doctor now says she's seen many similar cases, where young children showed unexpected physical changes after being exposed to hormone creams used by adults around them.
Here's what happened, and what you should know to keep your child safe.
How a baby girl developed a 'micropenis'
In what started as a loving bonding routine, a 10-month-old baby girl in Sweden would often lie on her father's bare chest, a common skin-to-skin practice known to support early development and strengthen the parent-child connection.
But what her parents didn't know was that her father had been regularly applying testosterone gel on his chest, a treatment typically prescribed to men with low testosterone levels.
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Without realising the risks, this repeated skin contact exposed the infant to high levels of the hormone, leading to unexpected and alarming changes in her genitalia.
Over time, her parents noticed that her clitoris had begun to elongate, taking on a penis-like shape, while her labia started to fuse together, resembling a small scrotum. These changes were described as resembling a 'micropenis', which is usually reserved for underdeveloped male genitalia.
Panicked, the family sought medical help. Blood tests quickly pointed to the cause.
Secondary exposure to testosterone gel in children can trigger adverse effects such as premature puberty. Image for Representation. Pixabay
'I don't think people always understand how potent these treatments are,' said Professor Jovanna Dahlgren, a paediatric endocrinologist at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, speaking to local media channel Göteborgs-Posten.
'The parents become completely desperate when they understand what has happened,' she added.
This particular case happened eight years ago, but it's far from isolated. Professor Dahlgren said she's treated at least half a dozen similar cases, all involving hormone creams or gels unintentionally transferred to children through skin contact with a parent.
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In another incident, she said, a 10-year-old boy developed breast tissue after unknowingly coming into contact with his mother's estrogen cream.
Fortunately, in the Swedish girl's case, her symptoms began to reverse once her father stopped using the gel and skin-to-skin contact was avoided.
How hormone creams can harm kids
Doctors have been raising concerns after seeing multiple cases of children affected by accidental exposure to hormone creams, a danger many parents simply aren't aware of.
These creams and gels are commonly prescribed to men with hypogonadism, a condition where the body doesn't produce enough sex hormones.
While hypogonadism can affect men at any age, research suggests it becomes more common with age, impacting around 40 per cent of men over 45 and nearly half of those in their 80s.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is often used to help with symptoms like low libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, mood changes, and muscle loss.
These creams and gels are commonly prescribed to men with hypogonadism, a condition where the body doesn't produce enough sex hormones. Image for Representation. Pixabay
However, problems arise when the gel isn't handled properly.
If adults don't wash their hands, allow the gel to dry fully, or cover the application site, and then come into close contact with children, the hormone can be absorbed through the child's skin. Even small amounts can cause physical changes, including signs of early puberty or virilisation.
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Experts strongly advise users to apply the gel only to specified areas like the shoulders, upper arms, or abdomen, let it air-dry completely before getting dressed, wash hands thoroughly afterwards, and keep the area covered.
Most importantly, health officials stress that skin-to-skin contact with children, especially babies, should be strictly avoided for several hours after applying the medication.
With input from agencies
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