Baby Girl Develops ‘Micropenis’ After Skin-To-Skin Contact With Dad

A Swedish baby girl reportedly developed an enlarged clitoris that resembled a micropenis after repeated skin-to-skin contact with her father, who had unknowingly transferred testosterone gel from his chest. 

Doctors later confirmed that the baby girl had been unintentionally exposed to the hormone, triggering the changes.

The incident is now one of several cases involving children affected by hormone therapy products applied by their parents.

Skin-to-skin bonding turned risky due to an overlooked hormone treatment

Sleeping baby girl wrapped in pink blanket, representing baby girl develops micropenis skin-to-skin contact concept.

Image credits: AePatt Journey/Adobe Stock (Not the actual photo)

“Kangaroo care,” the practice of cuddling newborns directly against a parent’s bare skin, is known for its benefits, such as the regulation of the baby’s body temperature and heart rate. It is also believed to help foster emotional attachment between a parent and a child. 

But for one family in Sweden, that precious bonding time took an unexpected turn.

Newborn baby girl resting skin-to-skin against dad's chest, highlighting close bonding and baby girl develops micropenis concept.

Image credits: Seraphine (Not the actual photo)

The father had been prescribed testosterone gel to treat hypogonadism, a condition where the body doesn’t produce enough testosterone. 

The condition becomes more common with age, affecting roughly 40% of men over 45 and up to half of men in their 80s.

Sleeping baby girl resting on father's chest during skin-to-skin contact highlighting baby girl develops micropenis concept.

Image credits: Cultura Creative/Adobe Stock (Not the actual photo)

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), often administered through skin-applied gels, injections, or patches, is one solution used to manage symptoms like low libido, fatigue, muscle loss, and mood swings, according to theNew York Post.

Unaware of the risks, the father had applied the gel to his chest and then held his newborn daughter against the same area during skin-to-skin moments.

Tube of testosterone gel being squeezed onto a gloved hand relating to baby girl develops micropenis case

Image credits: Physicians Rejuvenation Center (Not the actual photo)

Over time, her parents noticed changes in the baby’s genital area. Her clitoris had elongated, and her labia had begun to fuse, creating the appearance of a micropenis and scrotum.

Alarmed, they brought their 10-month-old daughter to a doctor, where blood tests confirmed high testosterone levels in the child.

Comment discussing caution about gel causing puberty symptoms in a toddler, related to baby girl develops micropenis case.

Pediatric endocrinologist Professor Jovanna Dahlgren, who treated the child, told Swedish outletGöteborgs-Posten that the family was devastated once they learned what had happened.

More children are being accidentally exposed to hormone medications at home

Comment from Stefane Freedom expressing concern about baby girl developing micropenis after skin-to-skin contact with dad.

While the Swedish case occurred eight years ago, it is far from isolated. Dr. Dahlgren stated that she has seen at least six cases of accidental hormone exposure in children through contact with a parent’s skin. 

One of the most striking involved a 10-year-old boy who developed breasts after coming into regular contact with his mother, who had been using estrogen cream.

Man applying hand sanitizer indoors, relating to baby girl develops micropenis after skin-to-skin contact with dad topic.

Image credits: Monstera Production/Pexels (Not the actual photo)

These incidents highlight how powerful and easily transferable topical hormone treatments can be, especially for infants and children whose bodies are much more sensitive to hormonal changes. 

In the Swedish baby girl’s case, the changes began to reverse once her father stopped using the gel and the exposure ended.

Close-up of a man’s hand on bare shoulder, illustrating skin-to-skin contact related to baby girl micropenis keyword.

Image credits: Trik/Adobe Stock (Not the actual photo)

While the baby’s condition gave her genitalia the appearance of a micropenis, doctors have clarified that this isn’t necessarily the correct term for her condition. 

Micropenis specifically refers to underdeveloped male genitalia, while the Swedish baby girl’s case involved the virilization of female anatomy, which is an entirely different biological phenomenon.

Comment from Peter Murphy about early puberty linked to exposure to testosterone gel from dad’s skin-to-skin contact.

Netizens, for their part, have criticized the baby girl’s dad for not being more careful.

“Dad basically rubbed testosterone cream on his newborn daughter,” one commenter wrote.

Comment by Katherine Saunders warning against applying testosterone gel where others may touch, related to baby girl developing micropenis after skin-to-skin contact.

“No cure for stupidity. Ignorance is NOT an excuse,” another stated.

“After applying topical medication, whether that is testosterone, cortisone or even antibiotic cream, e.g.,  what fool would expose an infant to that?” another commenter noted.

Testosterone therapy is booming, but so are concerns about accidental exposure

Newborn baby girl yawning while being held gently, relating to rare micropenis condition from skin-to-skin contact with dad.

Image credits: Andy Dean/Adobe Stock (Not the actual photo)

The Swedish baby girl’s case comes amid a surge in the use of Testosterone Replacement Therapy across the globe. 

In the United States alone, prescriptions for TRT jumped from 7.3 million in 2019 to over 11 million in 2023, according to a report fromCBS News.

Man holding baby girl close with skin-to-skin contact indoors, illustrating baby girl develops micropenis concept.

Image credits: Dusan Petkovic/Adobe Stock (Not the actual photo)

High-profile personalities like Joe Rogan, Josh Duhamel, Sylvester Stallone, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have all publicly acknowledged their use of testosterone treatments. 

The treatment has also proven very popular on social media, with the hashtag “TRT Before and After” trending on platforms such as TikTok.

Experts have warned that TRT carries risks, such as acne, testicular shrinkage, fluid retention, reduced fertility, and worsened sleep apnea. Thus, they have maintained that TRT must be used responsibly at all times.

Netizens highlighted that TRT treatments are supposed to be used with the utmost care and caution, especially around children

Screenshot of a Facebook comment by Aaron Boehm discussing an episode related to baby girl develops micropenis after skin-to-skin contact.

Screenshot of a social media comment discussing baby girl developing micropenis after skin-to-skin contact with dad.

Comment by Jennifer Leach about husband using testosterone cream and carefully washing hands to prevent effects.

Chat message from Erika Clai reacting about testosterone and skin-to-skin contact related to baby girl developing micropenis.

Comment by Jay Jones discussing risks of test cream causing effects like micropenis development after skin-to-skin contact with dad

Comment from John Lehmann saying the dad must feel horrible, related to baby girl develops micropenis after skin-to-skin contact.

Screenshot of a message from Wyatt Alan discussing T-gel use and reading warning labels carefully.

Screenshot of a chat message from Kai Troge discussing an unusual case involving a baby girl and micropenis after skin-to-skin contact.

Comment about baby girl developing micropenis after skin-to-skin contact with dad, expressing surprise and confusion.

Screenshot of a social media comment warning that children should not touch certain medications, relating to baby girl develops micropenis.

Person named Peter Lantz commenting that it’s enough internet for the day with 1.1K reactions including likes and laughing emojis.

Comment by Dianna Jason warning about avoiding skin-to-skin contact with testosterone gel application areas.

Comment by Sam Stanaland reading they literally tell you that when you get the gel related to baby girl develops micropenis after skin-to-skin contact with dad.

Comment by user Aaron Powell explaining a warning about skin-to-skin contact and potency related to gel use.

Comment about skin-to-skin contact with baby girl and no issues related to micropenis development.

Screenshot of a Facebook comment discussing testosterone cream in relation to baby girl develops micropenis after skin-to-skin contact with dad.

Facebook comment explaining how testosterone gel caused baby girl to develop micropenis after skin-to-skin contact with dad.

Comment by Ean Monahan on hormone gel effects, questioning the impact on those who come in contact with it.

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