Undescended Testes
Undescended testicles: what are they?
The testicles grow in the abdomen during fetal development. Sperm sex cells are produced and stored in testicles. The testicles normally fall into the scrotum from within the abdomen before to birth. The little skin pouch behind the penis that often contains the testicles is called the scrotum. Testicles that do not descend into the scrotum during the first few months of life or before to delivery are known as undescended testicles.
Cryptorchidism is another term for undescended testicles.
Do undescended testicles pose a major threat?
Undescended testicles may be dangerous if left untreated. They may impact the health of your child’s sperm and diminish their testosterone levels. Additionally, your kid may be somewhat more likely to develop testicular cancer, with or without treatment. However, this elevated risk is reduced with early treatment.
What is the prevalence of undescended testicles?
Undescended testicles are seen in around 3% of newborns. Premature kids are more likely to have undescended testicles, nevertheless. Testicles that have not descended are seen in up to 30% of preterm newborns.
Within a few months, the testicles in around half of newborns with undescended testicles will descend on their own.
Causes and Symptoms
What signs of undescended testicles are present?
The lack of a testicle on one or both sides of the scrotum is the primary sign of undescended testicles. Other symptoms are generally absent. Your baby’s capacity to urinate (pee) is unaffected by undescended testicles, nor do they cause discomfort.
Why do testicles not descend?
Medical experts and healthcare professionals are unsure of the cause of certain newborns’ undescended testicles. In some instances, they believe that a lack of testosterone in the fetus might affect the development of the testicles.
Nothing you do during pregnancy has been shown to cause your unborn child to have undescended testicles.
What problems might undescended testicles cause?
Undescended testicles increase a baby’s chances of:
- Carcinoma of the testicles. The most prevalent kind of cancer in men aged 15 to 35 is testicular cancer.
- Torsion of the testicles. The spermatic cord twisting and cutting off a testicle’s blood supply is known as testicular torsion. It hurts a lot, and if treatment is delayed, a testicle may die.
- Hernia inguinal. One kind of hernia is an inguinal hernia. Near your groin, a portion of an organ protrudes through muscle or tissue.
- Hypogonadism. When your testicles don’t create enough testosterone, you have hypogonadism.
Testing and Diagnosis
How are testicles that have not descended diagnosed?
During a physical check at delivery or soon after, your child’s doctor may identify undescended testicles. It’s possible that your kid has undescended testicles if they are not palpable.
You could be referred to a pediatric urologist by the physician. A pediatric urologist is a surgeon who focuses on illnesses and disorders affecting children’s reproductive and urinary systems. To assist in locating the testicles, they could prescribe imaging procedures, such as a pelvic ultrasound. But often, an ultrasound is not required.
Handling and Therapy
How can testicles that have not descended be corrected?
The gold standard for treating undescended testicles is an orchiopexy. A surgeon will identify the undescended testicles in the abdomen during an orchiopexy by making a tiny incision in your child’s groin. Additionally, they will build pockets to keep the testicles in place by making a little incision in your child’s scrotum. They could remove the undescended testicles if they find they are ineffective.
When is the right age to treat undescended testicles?
See a doctor about treatment if your child’s testicles haven’t fallen by the time they’re six months old. Providers advise getting an orchiopexy between the ages of 12 and 24 months if your kid requires one.
What happens if treatment for cryptorchidism is not received?
Testicles may not develop normally or generate healthy sperm if they do not fall into the scrotum. Later in life, they may result in infertility.
Prognosis and Outlook
If my child’s testicles have not yet descended, what should I anticipate?
About 98% of cases of surgery to correct undescended testicles are successful. The testicles typically grow properly in the scrotum and eventually generate healthy sperm.
Your kid is somewhat more likely to get testicular cancer if they have undescended testicles. They should plan routine checkups with their healthcare practitioner and do monthly testicular exams as they approach adolescence.