children s health issues
Male Hypogonadism in Children
Symptoms of Male Hypogonadism
Symptoms of hypogonadism vary depending at which age thetestosteronedeficiency begins. In a male fetus,testosteronedeficiency before the 12th week of pregnancy causes incomplete development of the genitals. The urethra may open on the underside of the penis instead of at its end. Iftestosteronedeficiency develops later in pregnancy, a male fetus may have an abnormally small penis or testes that do not descend into the scrotum. A male newbornmay have genitals that appear less masculine (undervirilized) or appear more female, sometimes referred to as ambiguous genitalia. In male children,testosteronedeficiency that occurs at the time when puberty is expected results in incomplete sexual development. An affected boy retains a high-pitched voice and has poor muscle development for his age. The penis, testes, and scrotum are underdeveloped. Pubic and underarm hair is sparse and body hair does not exist. The breasts may enlarge (gynecomastia), and the arms and legs are abnormally long. 