Pathogenesis and clinical management of micropenis in children with obesity

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-0689

Abstract

Abstract: Penile development serves as a critical marker of male sexual maturation, primarily regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and androgen exposure.Recent evidence highlights a association between childhood obesity and aberrations in male reproductive development, with micropenis emerging as a prominent clinical concern.The pathogenesis of obesity-associated micropenis is multifactorial, involving complex interactions between endocrine dysregulation (notably HPG axis dysfunction), metabolic derangements, and chronic inflammation.Current mechanistic research focuses on elucidating obesity's impact on HPG axis dynamics.Establishing a comprehensive clinical management strategy is essential for optimizing outcomes, including accurate phenotypic characterization, targeted weight management, judicious pharmacological intervention, mechanical approaches, and integrated psychological support.

Key words: obesity, micropenis, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, pathogenesis, clinical management

摘要： 阴茎发育是衡量男性性发育的重要指标,主要受下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴(hypothalamic pituitary gonadal, HPG轴)及雄激素水平的调控。近年来,肥胖与男性生殖系统发育异常的关联越来越受到关注,其中较为突出的问题是小阴茎。肥胖导致小阴茎的机制复杂,目前研究主要聚焦在肥胖与HPG轴功能之间的关联,可能涉及内分泌-代谢-慢性炎症等多因素作用。建立全面临床管理是改善肥胖儿童小阴茎预后的关键,具体包括全面评估、体重管理、药物干预、物理治疗及必要的心理支持等。

关键词: 肥胖, 小阴茎, 下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴, 发病机制, 临床管理

CLC Number:

R179

WU Yueming, XU Tong. Pathogenesis and clinical management of micropenis in children with obesity[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care, 2026, 34(1): 106-111.

吴月明, 徐通. 肥胖儿童小阴茎的发病机制与临床管理[J]. 中国儿童保健杂志, 2026, 34(1): 106-111.

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