By Erewunmi Peace

A viral article circulating on social media and blogs has sparked confusion and concern after claiming that a baby girl developed a “micropenis” following a routine vaccination. However, medical reports and expert analysis confirm that this claim is false and misleading.

The actual case, which occurred in Sweden, involved a 10-month-old baby girl who showed signs of genital virilization—her clitoris became enlarged and her labia began to fuse, giving a more masculine appearance. The parents were alarmed and brought her to a hospital for testing.

Doctors soon discovered the real cause: the baby had been accidentally exposed to testosterone gel, which her father had been using as part of a hormone therapy. The gel was likely transferred to the baby through skin-to-skin contact during cuddling on his bare chest

“This is a well-documented but rare form of unintentional hormone transfer. When infants absorb testosterone through the skin, it can cause visible changes to their genitalia,” said a Swedish pediatric endocrinologist.

The case was documented in medical journals and reputable news outlets such as The Sun UK and Times of India. Once the exposure to the hormone was stopped, the baby’s genital development began to reverse naturally.

Debunking the Misinformation

Contrary to false claims on websites like PeoplesMind.com.ng, no vaccine was involved in the child’s condition. Medical professionals have not linked any vaccine to genital abnormalities like this.

Additionally, the term “micropenis” is medically inaccurate in this case, as it refers specifically to male genitalia. The baby is biologically female and experienced masculinization, not a transformation of sex.

Expert Warning to Parents

Health experts are now using this case to remind parents and caregivers using hormonal medications—such as testosterone or estrogen creams—to:

Avoid direct skin-to-skin contact with babies after applying such medications.

Always wash hands thoroughly and cover treated areas with clothing.

Bottom Line

This story highlights the importance of accurate health reporting and the dangers of misinformation online. Parents should rely on verified medical sources when making decisions about child care and vaccination.

There is no scientific link between vaccines and the condition described. The cause was hormonal exposure, not immunization.