Understanding Undescended Testis in Children
While it might sound alarming at first, understanding this condition and its implications can ease your worries and help you take the right steps for your child’s health. One such issue that might arise is an undescended testis. As parents, we often face numerous health concerns regarding our children. What is an Undescended Testis? An undescended testis in children , or cryptorchidism, occurs when one or both of a male infant's testicles fail to move into the scrotum before birth. This is a common condition , affecting about 3% of full-term and 30% of premature male infants. Normally , the testicles develop in the abdomen and descend into the scrotum during the last few months of fetal development. When this descent doesn’t happen, it results in an undescended testis. Signs and Symptoms The primary indication of an undescended testis is the absence of one or both testicles in the scrotum. During a routine newborn physical exam, a healthcare provider can usually