[Gynecomastia in 38 children: etiology and treatment].
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the etiology and treatment of gynecomastia in male children.


METHODS
The clinical data of 38 boys with gynecomastia at ages of 2-14 years were retrospectively studied.


RESULTS
In the 38 cases, 17 cases were identified as adolescent breast hyperplasia, 2 cases were relevant to primary disease, 4 cases were caused by ingestion of drugs containing hormone, and 15 cases did not show identifiable causes and were diagnosed as idiopathic gynecomastia. For the 3 children with breast development in B3 stage, oral rupixiao was administered (1.34 g, tid) for one month. For 16 children at ages of over 12 years with breast development in B2 stage and with obvious clinical symptoms, oral rupixiao was administered (1.34 g, tid) for 3-5 days. The other patients did not receive drug treatment. In a one month to one year follow-up, most of the patients recovered well.


CONCLUSIONS
The etiology of gynecomastia in male children includes adolescent breast hyperplasia, ingestion of drugs containing hormone and secondary causes. Most gynecomastia can be attributed to physiological reasons. Only a few children with obvious clinical symptoms need drug treatment.
Hai
Jian
J
Department of Breast Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
Wu
Zhao-Yun
ZY
Mao
Jie
J
Guo
Lei
L
Tang
Li-Li
LL
Wang
Shou-Man
SM
Li
Yan
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006177:Gynecomastia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies