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It is true that there are concerns common to all mothers of babies, no matter the sex or the conditions in which each one is. But there are also concerns that are unique to the mothers of boys and one of those concerns is when the testicle has not descended after one year of age.
This is a problem that can happen and you need to be aware of it. But why does this happen? What are the complications that this can bring? How to solve? Let’s talk about all of this, and understand more about the subject in general.
Baby Was Born Without Testicles
It is not uncommon for a baby boy to be born “without testicles”. In fact, it is not that he does not have these organs, but that they are still inside the body, in the abdominal cavity, which is even more common in premature babies.
The testicles migrate to the scrotum naturally with hormonal stimulation and begin to develop there. When after a certain period of time a testicle has not descended or even both, this problem is called cryptoquidia , which occurs in about 3% of babies and, in premature babies, the number rises to 20%.
Why does it happen?
It is not known exactly why these problems occur with the testicles, but it is known that this occurs, inside the mother’s belly, around the seventh month, that is, in the case of premature babies, there is an explanation of why this occurs.
But there are also indications that other factors may influence it, such as a woman’s hormonal problem during pregnancy , a problem in the development of certain baby’s muscles or even the existence of something in her body that obstructs the path of the testicle.
What is Retractable Testis?
Unlike cryptitoquidia, the retractable testicle stays in its usual place when the baby is at rest, but ends up moving out of place occasionally . When this problem is identified correctly, it does not need any type of treatment, as the testicle will stay in its normal place as the child develops.
The biggest concern we have regarding cryptoquidia is due to the possibility that the baby grows and becomes an infertile adult , among other problems that can also be generated.
What happens is that if the testicles are not in the scrotum, they do not mature properly, which can cause these problems. In addition, if this problem is not treated correctly, there is a risk of stunting of the testicles.
Undescended Testis Surgery
If a testicle has not descended by 6 months of age, it is unlikely that it will return to normal on its own, often requiring surgery. This type of operation is done until a maximum of 2 years of age, although many doctors recommend doing it as soon as possible to be able to correct the problem without generating any serious consequences for the boy.
Simple or Risky Procedure?
The surgical procedure is simple, with the baby taking general anesthesia and the doctor taking the testicle to where it should be. Depending on the level of the problem, it is possible that the surgery will be done in phases and that it may take a little longer than expected.
There are cases where, even after surgery, the testicle moves out of place and exactly because of that, it is necessary to have a good postoperative medical follow-up. Although the idea of surgery on a baby may terrify mothers and fathers, it is necessary to remain calm and know that the process is simple , in addition to the fact that there is no need for hospitalization.
It is very common for babies to be discharged on the same day that they performed the surgery, and it is necessary to return only to the follow-up already mentioned here. Realizing that a testicle has not come down is a warning sign for parents to take their children to the doctor to see if there really is a problem and how they should act from now on.
But it is important to always remain calm and take action only after knowing exactly what it is about and how medical procedures are going to happen. Often the baby’s body can deal with the problem alone, requiring only constant observation by a doctor to check that everything is fine. Following these guidelines, this is unlikely to be a big problem for the boy’s life.
See also: What is Varicocele? Causes and Treatments
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
