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Prepubertal gynecomastia during growth hormone therapy
1Division of Metabolism and Endocrine Drug Products, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Maryland 20857, USA.
The Journal of Pediatrics
|April 1, 1995
Summary
Prepubertal gynecomastia can occur during growth hormone (GH) treatment in boys aged 2-12 years. This condition is typically self-limited and benign, resolving on its own.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Endocrinology
- Growth Hormone Therapy
Background:
- Gynecomastia, the enlargement of breast tissue in males, can be a concern in prepubertal children.
- Growth hormone (GH) therapy is used to treat various growth disorders in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report and characterize cases of prepubertal gynecomastia observed during growth hormone (GH) treatment.
- To assess the incidence, timing, and clinical course of GH-induced gynecomastia in prepubertal boys.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series analysis of 22 prepubertal boys diagnosed with gynecomastia.
- Data collection included patient age, GH dosage, treatment duration, and onset of gynecomastia.
Main Results:
- Twenty-two cases of prepubertal gynecomastia were identified during GH treatment.
- Gynecomastia onset occurred between 0.5 and 7 months after initiating GH therapy.
- The age range was 2 to 12 years, with GH doses from 0.18 to 0.3 mg/kg/week.
Conclusions:
- Prepubertal gynecomastia is a potential side effect of growth hormone (GH) treatment.
- The condition appears to be self-limited and benign in most cases.
- Further monitoring is recommended, though intervention is often unnecessary.