Background: Percutaneous administration of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) has been successful in promoting phallic growth in infants and children with 5α-reductase deficiency raised as males. We investigated whether percutaneous administration of DHT is similarly effective in patients with micropenis due to alternative diagnoses. Methods: Six patients (age range 1.9–8.3 years) with micropenis of variable etiology were studied prospectively. 2.5% DHT gel was applied to the phallus once daily at a dose of 0.15–0.33 mg/kg body weight. Serum DHT concentrations were measured at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h following application of DHT gel. Results: Peak DHT concentrations were attained within 2–8 h after application of the gel and subsequently remained within the normal adult range in all but 1 patient, who had received the lowest dose of 0.15 mg/kg. An increase in phallic growth, ranging from 0.5–2.0 cm, was achieved after 3–4 months of treatment in all patients whose DHT concentrations were maintained within adult range. Conclusion: Percutaneous administration of DHT in a dose of 0.2–0.3 mg/kg once daily for a period of 3–4 months may be useful in the management of patients with testosterone biosynthetic defects, who have sufficient masculinization to warrant male sex assignment, or in patients with micropenis prior to reconstructive surgery.

Keywords:
Dihydrotestosterone, Dihydrotestosterone kinetics, 5α-Reductase deficiency, Micropenis, Hypospadias
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© 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel
2002
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