Bengaluru: Parents should not overlook the possibility of undescended testis (cryptorchidism) in young boys, as delayed diagnosis and treatment can have lifelong consequences, including impaired fertility, poor testicular development, and an increased risk of testicular cancer, cautioned Dr. G. Harica Reddy, MS, M.Ch, Consultant Pediatric Surgeon, Medicover Children’s Surgery Centre, Medicover Women & Children Hospital, Whitefield, Bengaluru.
An undescended testis is a condition in which one or both testes fail to move into the scrotum before or shortly after birth. While some testes may descend naturally during the first few months of life, any testis that remains undescended beyond six months of corrected age requires prompt evaluation by a pediatric surgeon.
Dr. Harica Reddy emphasized that every routine well-child visit should include examination of the testes to confirm that both are present in the scrotum, remain there without tension, and have not moved back up after previously descending. Parents should seek specialist consultation if a testis remains undescended after six months, if a previously descended testis is later found outside the scrotum, or if both testes are not palpable.
She advised parents not to delay treatment by waiting for the child to grow older, symptoms to develop, or by obtaining unnecessary ultrasound scans before specialist referral. Clinical examination by a pediatric surgeon is usually sufficient to determine the appropriate management.
The recommended treatment, orchiopexy, is ideally performed between 6 and 12 months of age, and no later than 18 months. Early surgical correction supports normal testicular development, improves future fertility potential and may reduce the risk of future complications.
“A normal newborn examination does not replace repeated assessment during routine well-child visits. In some children, a testis that was previously in the scrotum may move upwards later, making regular follow-up essential. If parents are unsure whether the testis is retractile or truly undescended, they should consult a pediatric surgeon without delay,” said Dr. G. Harica Reddy.
Medicover Women & Children Hospital encourages parents to ensure regular pediatric check-ups for their children, as early detection, timely referral, and appropriate treatment can significantly improve long-term health outcomes.
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