Undescended Testicles on Children
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Undescended Testicles also commonly known as “cryptorchidism”, in which one or both testicles fail to descend from the abdomen into the scrotum by age one. Undescended testicles is a common childhood problem that affects about a third of premature babies and 3 percent of full-term infants. Incomplete testicle descent is not just a physical abnormality; it also can lead to infertility and testicular cancer later in life.
Normally, the testicle will descend by the time a child is born, or by the end of the first year of life. However, if the testes remain in the abdomen, sperm production (and fertility) is usually impaired. If not repaired by age six, the condition can cause permanent infertility.
If only one testicle has descended, the boy will have a low sperm count, whereas if both remain in the abdomen, there is usually no sperm in the semen. Researchers believe that this is because the higher temperature in the abdomen destroys the enzymes and proteins needed for normal sperm production. There are several types of cryptorchidism. In true undescended testes, the testicles are positioned within the normal route of descent, but they cannot be manually lowered into the scrotum.
“Retractile testes” usually occurs between age three and six and is caused by hyperactivity of the abdominal muscles that raises the testes. Ectopic (displaced) testes are found outside the normal route of descent in areas such as the upper groin, floor of the pelvis, penile shaft, or thigh. Many researchers believe there is less chance of cancer in ectopic testes than in true undescended testes.
Causes of Undescended Testicles