Martin Promm1, Annika Dittrich1, Susanne Brandstetter2, Sara Fill-Malfertheiner3, Michael Melter2, Birgit Seelbach-Göbel3, Christian Apfelbacher4,5, Michael Kabesch2, Wolfgang H Rösch1. 1. Department of Pediatric Urology, Clinic St. Hedwig, University Medical Center of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. 2. University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO-Clinics), University of Regensburg, Clinic St. Hedwig, Regensburg, Germany. 3. Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology St. Hedwig, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. 4. Medical Sociology, Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. 5. Institute of Social Medicine and Health Economics, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The evaluation of the testicular position in newborns is important to ensure timely initiation of therapy. The aim of our study was to assess the reliability of a routinely performed screening examination. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Newborns were examined by a pediatrician between 48 and 72 h after birth. Boys with suspected cryptorchidism were double-checked by a pediatric urologist within 24 h. RESULTS: 1,181/2,353 children included in the study between June 2015 and December 2017 were male. Eight hundred sixty-one boys could be included in this analysis; 5.8% (n = 50) were diagnosed with undescended testis (UDT) by the pediatrician. 30/50 boys were double-checked at the Department of Pediatric Urology. Forty percent (20/50) were lost to follow-up. In 43% (13/30), the diagnosis could be confirmed. Three former studies had shown a relevant discrepancy in the results of the diagnosis of UDT made by health care providers and urologists/pediatric surgeons. To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the testicular position in male newborns in such a large prospective birth cohort study by physicians with ranging expertise within 1 day. CONCLUSION: Further treatment for UDT is based on clinical examination. Ours and previous studies can clearly show the various findings in boys suspected having UDT. Therefore, it is essential that the diagnosis is confirmed by a specialist before a therapy is initiated.
INTRODUCTION: The evaluation of the testicular position in newborns is important to ensure timely initiation of therapy. The aim of our study was to assess the reliability of a routinely performed screening examination. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Newborns were examined by a pediatrician between 48 and 72 h after birth. Boys with suspected cryptorchidism were double-checked by a pediatric urologist within 24 h. RESULTS: 1,181/2,353 children included in the study between June 2015 and December 2017 were male. Eight hundred sixty-one boys could be included in this analysis; 5.8% (n = 50) were diagnosed with undescended testis (UDT) by the pediatrician. 30/50 boys were double-checked at the Department of Pediatric Urology. Forty percent (20/50) were lost to follow-up. In 43% (13/30), the diagnosis could be confirmed. Three former studies had shown a relevant discrepancy in the results of the diagnosis of UDT made by health care providers and urologists/pediatric surgeons. To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the testicular position in male newborns in such a large prospective birth cohort study by physicians with ranging expertise within 1 day. CONCLUSION: Further treatment for UDT is based on clinical examination. Ours and previous studies can clearly show the various findings in boys suspected having UDT. Therefore, it is essential that the diagnosis is confirmed by a specialist before a therapy is initiated.
Authors: Jorgen Thorup; Robert McLachlan; Dina Cortes; Tamara R Nation; Adam Balic; Bridget R Southwell; John M Hutson Journal: J Pediatr Surg Date: 2010-10 Impact factor: 2.545