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Description

Rarely a male infant may develop gynecomastia.


An important question is whether the gynecomastia was present at birth, or if it developed after a few days.

 

The usual cause of gynecomastia present at birth is the transfer of maternal estrogens across the placenta.

 

Maternal levels of estrogens may be within the physiologic range or elevated for some cause (tumor, medication).

 

Other conditions to consider:

(1) estrogen-producing tumor in the neonate

(2) neonatal cirrhosis

(3) oral contraceptives in maternal breast milk (if gynecomastia appears in the postnatal period)

 

Usually the gynecomastia resolves without intervention.


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