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Systemic effects of transdermal testosterone for the treatment of microphallus in children
O Arisaka1, M Hoshi, S Kanazawa
1Department of Pediatrics, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Mibu, Japan.
Objectives:
To elucidate the metabolic effects of topical testosterone for the treatment of microphallus in children.
Methods:
We administered 5% testosterone ointment to 50 prepubertal boys for the treatment of microphallus, allowing us to observe its metabolic effect on plasma concentrations of testosterone as a marker of transdermally absorbed testosterone, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I as a marker of growth hormone secretion status, and osteocalcin as a marker of bone metabolic turnover.
Results:
Transdermal application of testosterone for 30 days at a dose that affects penile growth increased mean (+/-SD) plasma testosterone concentrations from 7.5+/-5.1 to 31.0+/-8.2 ng/dL (pre- vs. post-treatment, respectively; P<0.01). This was associated with a slight but statistically significant elevation of IGF-I concentrations (117.2+/-76.9 vs. 154.4+/-81.5 ng/mL; P<0.05). No significant change in osteocalcin levels was found.
Conclusions:
When using testosterone ointment as a treatment for microphallus, it should be borne in mind that this application has systemic effects.
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