title: Hormone-containing cosmetics may cause signs of early sexual development.
abstract: Exogenous hormone exposure can cause early sexual development, but only one report suggests that this may occur secondary to the use of hair-care products. This study evaluated the usage frequency and biological effects of hormone-containing hair-care products. We reviewed the records of 102 consecutive dependent children referred for evaluation of sexual precocity. Eight children (7.8%) were using these products. All eight were black (100%), compared to 57 (61%) of the 94 patients not using such products (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between these two groups in mean age, sex distribution, height, height standard deviation score, bone age:chronologic age ratio, or serum estradiol level. We conclude that exposure to hormones in hair-care products may be more frequent than expected and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of early sexual development in children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307, USA.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poth
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects; D006203:Hair Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006203:Hair Preparations