- Types of cryptorchidism
- Treatment to reposition the testicle
- Because the baby's testicle didn't go down
Cryptorchidism is a common problem among babies and occurs when the testicles do not descend into the scrotum, the sac that surrounds the testicles. Normally, the testicles descend into the scrotum in the last months of pregnancy and, if this is not the case, the baby is born without the testicles in the normal place, which is easily observed by the pediatrician at birth or at the baby's first visits.
The doctor notes that the baby's testicle is not in the scrotum by palpating the scrotum soon after the baby is born. If the testicle is not there, he can still descend alone during the baby's first year of life, without the need for specific treatment, but if it doesn't, it may be necessary to have surgery to put the testicle in place. Surgery is simple and quick, and must be performed before 2 years.
Types of cryptorchidism
Cryptorchidism can be classified into:
- Bilateral cryptorchidism: when both testicles are absent in the scrotum, which, if left untreated, can render a man sterile; Unilateral cryptorchia: when a testicle on one side of the scrotum is absent, it can cause decreased fertility.
Cryptorchidism has no symptoms, but cases of orchitis, an infection of the testis, may arise. Some consequences of cryptorchidism are infertility, hernias in the testis and the appearance of cancer in the testicle and to reduce these risks it is necessary to position the testicle in the correct place even in childhood, in the first years of the baby's life.
Treatment to reposition the testicle
The treatment of cryptorchidism can be done with hormonal therapy, through injections of testosterone or chorionic gonadotropin hormone, which help the testicle to mature, making it go down to the scrotum, which resolves up to half of the cases.
In cases where the use of hormones does not solve the problem, it is necessary to resort to surgery to release the testicle from the abdomen. This procedure is mainly used in unilateral cryptorchidism.
When the absence of testicles is detected in late stages, removal of the testicles may be necessary to avoid future complications for the individual, making the individual sterile.
Because the baby's testicle didn't go down
The causes of cryptorchidism can be:
- Hernias in the place where the testicles descend from the abdomen to the scrotum; Hormonal problems; Low baby weight; Premature birth; Down syndrome; Contact with toxic substances such as pesticides.
Some risk factors of the mother such as obesity, gestational diabetes, type 1 diabetes, smoking and alcohol in pregnancy can lead to the appearance of cryptorchidism in the baby.
