Abstract
Previous reports have documented the presence of microphallus in boys with hypopituitarism and have indicated the beneficial effects on phallic growth of systemic testosterone (T). Phallic growth probably depends on adequate tissue levels of dihydro-testosterone (DHT) with T being converted to DHT in the target tissue. Growth hormone (GH) may play a permissive role. We have studied the results of short-term (3 wks), topical application of 5% T in 4 boys with this syndrome.
All patients were receiving GH at the time of T therapy. No acceleration of linear growth and no advance in osseous maturation occurred during or after treatment.
We conclude that local T for this brief period is a safe, effective, and simple means of stimulating phallic growth. Whether the effect is due to local tissue levels of elevated blood concentration of T remains to be demonstrated.
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Ben-Galim, E., Weldon, V. & Hillman, R. 280 TOPICAL TESTOSTERONE THERAPY FOR MICROPHALLUS IN MALE CHILDREN WITH HYPOPITUITARISM. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 410 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00285
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00285