The scrotum keeps the testicles in a cooler setting than the body. This is because sperm can't grow at body temperature. During childhood, sperm in the testicles go through a process that results in mature sperm at puberty. Normal testicles form early in a baby boy's growth. They form in the lower belly abdomen , but descend, or "drop," into the scrotum toward the end of pregnancy. Normal testicles attach themselves with stretchable tissue in the bottom of the scrotum. This is controlled by the baby's normal hormones.
In most children with this health issue, it's not known why the testicles fail to drop. It may be because the testicles aren't normal to start with. In other cases, there's a mechanical problem. The testicles drop but miss the scrotum, ending up next to the scrotum instead. These are called "ectopic testicles. No studies have shown that the problem is caused by something the mother did or ate during pregnancy.
Sometimes the testicles drop but don't attach in the scrotum. Then, when the boy grows, it becomes clear that the testicles aren't attached. About 1 of every 5 cases of undescended testicles are found once the boy is no longer a baby. For this reason, all boys should have the location of their testicles checked during each annual physical exam. A testicle that can't be felt in a physical exam is called "nonpalpable. It's important to find out whether there is a testicle that hasn't dropped.
An undescended testicle left inside the abdomen could form a tumor later in life. Such a tumor might not be noticed until it becomes quite large or causes symptoms. Undescended testicles are a common childhood condition where a boy's testicles are not in their usual place in the scrotum.
In most cases no treatment is necessary, as the testicles will usually move down into the scrotum naturally during the first 3 to 6 months of life. The medical term for having 1 or 2 undescended testicles is unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism.
Undescended testicles are usually detected during the newborn physical examination carried out soon after birth, or during a routine check-up at 6 to 8 weeks.
See your GP if at any point you notice that 1 or both of your child's testicles are not in the normal place within the scrotum. Undescended testicles aren't painful and your child isn't at risk of any immediate health problems, but they should be monitored by a doctor in case treatment is needed later on.
During pregnancy, the testicles form inside a baby boy's tummy abdomen before slowly moving down into the scrotum about a month or 2 before birth. It's not known exactly why some boys are born with undescended testicles. Most boys with the condition are otherwise completely healthy. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.
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Undescended testes are usually diagnosed at birth, or during a well baby exam, when one or both of the testes can't be felt when the scrotum is examined. The scrotum may appear flat and small. The child will be reexamined at 5 to 6 months to see if it has descended. Sometimes an undescended testicle is confused with a retractile testicle, which is a normally descended testicle that's pulled out of the scrotum by an overactive cremasteric muscle reflex — an automatic reflex that occurs when skin on the front inner thigh is stroked.
In this case, the health care provider will be able to feel the testicle in the scrotum. Retractile testicle is more common in boys between the ages of 2 and 7, it doesn't require treatment. In most children, the testicle descends within six months of birth without any treatment. If it has not descended by 6 months of age, the child will need surgery.
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