Central precocious puberty after interpersonal transfer of testosterone gel: just a coincidence?

BACKGROUND

Over the last 10 years, several children, fetuses and women have been reported to be virilized through interpersonal transfer of testosterone (T) gel used by fathers or partners. Long-term exposure to androgens in children, such as in poorly controlled congenital adrenal hyperplasia, is known to promote central precocious puberty.

METHODS

Clinical case report.

RESULTS

We report on a 5-year-old boy who developed central precocious puberty after long-term (starting prenatally) exposure to testosterone through interpersonal transfer of T gel used by his father. We also report on another case illustrating that the recommended precautions are not sufficient to avoid interpersonal transfer of T gel among household contacts. Plasma testosterone levels and history-taking revealed the cause of virilisation and the testosterone contamination source in both cases. Given the increased testicular volume and persisting testosterone elevation after cessation of gel use in the first patient, a GnRH test was carried out and confirmed central precocious puberty.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of a boy with central precocious puberty occurring after long-term (starting prenatally) exposure to testosterone through the interpersonal transfer of Tgel. This report questions whether central precocious puberty constitutes a long-term side effect of testosterone exposure in childhood through T gel use by a household contact.