Undescended Testes
(Cryptorchidism)
How To Say It: kript-or-kid-ISM
Definition
An undescended testicle (cryptorchidism) is when a boy's testicle does not move down into the scrotum. Testicles develop inside the abdomen before birth. They move down into the scrotum just before or after birth.
Undescended TesticleCopyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. |
Causes TOP
It is not always known why this happens. It is thought to be a problem with the way the testicles develop.
Risk Factors TOP
Things that may raise the risk of this problem are:
- Low birth weight
- Being born too early
- A family history of undescended testicles
- Klinefelter syndrome or other chromosomal problems
- Factors in the mother during pregnancy, such as:
- Cigarette smoking
- Gestational diabetes mellitus
- High levels of alpha-fetoprotein
Diagnosis TOP
You will be asked about your child's symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. It will focus on the testicles. This is often enough to make the diagnosis.
Images may need to be taken to locate the testicle. This can be done with ultrasound or laparoscopy.
Treatment TOP
Treatment is needed to avoid problems, such as infertility and testicular cancer.
Choices are:
- Waiting for the testicle to descend on its own
- Surgery to move the testicle down and stitch it into place
- Hormone therapy (not common)
RESOURCES:
Healthy Children—American Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.healthychildren.org
National Infertility Association
http://www.resolve.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Fertility Matters
http://fertilitymatters.ca
Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca
REFERENCES:
Cryptorchidism. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/cryptorchidism. Accessed December 10, 2020.
Tekgul S, Dogan HS, et al; European Society for Paediatric Urology and European Association of Urology (ESPU/EAU). Guidelines on paediatric urology. EAU 2017 Mar.
Undescended testicles. Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed December 10, 2020.
Undescended testicles. Healthy Children—American Academy of Pediatrics website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed December 10, 2020.
Last reviewed September 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board
Chelsea Skucek, MSN, BS, RNC-NIC
Last Updated: 6/4/2021