Bengaluru: Parents have been advised not to ignore the possibility of an undescended testis, medically known as cryptorchidism, in young boys, as delayed diagnosis and treatment may lead to long-term complications such as impaired fertility, poor testicular development and an increased risk of testicular cancer. Dr. G. Harica Reddy, MS, M.Ch, Consultant Pediatric Surgeon, Medicover Children’s Surgery Centre, Medicover Women & Children Hospital, Whitefield, Bengaluru, issued the caution.
Undescended testis is a condition in which one or both testes fail to move into the scrotum before birth or shortly after birth. Although some testes may descend naturally during the first few months of life, a testis that remains undescended beyond six months of corrected age requires timely evaluation by a pediatric surgeon.
Dr. Harica Reddy highlighted that examination of the testes should be part of every routine well-child check-up. Doctors should confirm that both testes are present in the scrotum, remain there without tension and have not moved upwards after previously descending. Parents should seek specialist advice if a testis remains undescended after six months, if a previously descended testis is later found outside the scrotum, or if both testes cannot be felt.
Parents were also advised not to postpone treatment while waiting for the child to grow older or for symptoms to appear. Unnecessary ultrasound scans before specialist referral should also be avoided, as a clinical examination by a pediatric surgeon is generally sufficient to determine the appropriate course of management.
The standard treatment is orchiopexy, which is ideally performed between six and 12 months of age and no later than 18 months. Early surgical correction can support normal testicular development, improve future fertility potential and may reduce the risk of later complications.
“A normal newborn examination does not replace repeated assessment during routine well-child visits. In some children, a testis that was previously in the scrotum may move upwards later, making regular follow-up essential. If parents are unsure whether the testis is retractile or truly undescended, they should consult a pediatric surgeon without delay,” said Dr. G. Harica Reddy.
Medicover Women & Children Hospital encourages parents to ensure regular pediatric check-ups for their children, as early detection, timely referral and appropriate treatment can significantly improve long-term health outcomes.
Leave a Reply