[Gynecomastia in childhood. Pathological causes unusual but serious]

Enlargement of the breasts in males is known as gynecomastia, and represents a symptom that may be physiological (newborn, pubertal, senile gynecomastia), but may also have a pathological etiology (humoral disorders, side effects of medication, liver diseases, tumor disease). The physiological pubertal form occurs in approximately 40 to 60% of adolescents, usually resolves spontaneously within 2-3 years, and rarely requires treatment. Tumors of the breast in childhood are extremely rare. The diagnostic work-up must always aim at detecting possible underlying pathology, such as increased estrogen production, diminished androgen production, or androgen resistance. Since such a diagnostic investigation is complex, it should best be done by an experienced endocrinologist.