Acıbadem Maslak Hospital Pediatric Surgery Specialist Dr. Mehmet Celal Şen explained 5 important points to know about undescended testicles and made important warnings and suggestions. Dr. In his statement, Mehmet Celal Şen said, “When the suppressive effect of postpartum hormones passed from the mother disappears, an increase in the level of sex hormones occurs in babies. This allows the testicles to continue descending, and by the age of one, 70 percent of the undescended testicles detected at birth have descended into the bag. While the incidence of undescended testicles up to one year old in our country varies between 1 and 5 percent, this rate rises to 45 percent in premature babies.
Cosmetic products and pesticides can also cause it!
According to the studies; Noting that the descent of the testis is under the control of hormonal, physical, environmental and genetic factors, Dr. Mehmet Celal Şen explained the reasons why the testicles did not descend as follows:
“Hormonal factors are defects in sex development and disorders that reduce testosterone (male sex hormone) production and action. Physical factors are anomalies that disrupt the anatomical structure of the testis and inguinal canal. Environmental factors are chemicals such as some substances (phthalates) and pesticides used in the manufacture of cosmetic products, which are exposed while in the womb and negatively affect hormone production. Genetic factors are some syndromes and gene mutations that can cause undescended testicles.
Early diagnosis and treatment is very important!
Emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment in undescended testis, Dr. Mehmet Celal Şen said, “In order for the testicles to continue producing sperm and hormones normally, they must be in an environment 2 to 7 degrees lower than body temperature, which is the case with bags. The cellular structures of the testicles exposed to body temperature deteriorate and the potential of these children to become fathers in the future is adversely affected. In addition, the possibility of developing testicular cancer in the future, suffocation of the testicles (torsion), and exposure to trauma are other reasons for treatment. Along with these, the psychological effects of the appearance of an empty bag for the child should also be taken into consideration. used the phrase.
6 months to 1 year old treatment is a must!
Stating that some of the undescended testicles, which are noticed after birth, can complete their descent within the first year, Dr. Mehmet Celal Şen said, “While this process is usually completed within three to six months, the possibility of spontaneous stroke gradually decreases after the sixth month. Therefore, treatment of undescended testis should be carried out after 6 months and at the latest at 1 year of age. Children diagnosed after the age of 1 should be treated as soon as possible.
'Shy testicles' should be followed until puberty!
Pediatric Surgeon Dr. Mehmet Celal Şen stated that the testicles that descended into the bag sometimes move upwards and cannot be seen inside the bag. This reflex to protect the testis from cold and trauma is a purely physiological condition and does not require treatment. However, since it is known that one third of shy testes can develop in the future, these children should be followed up until adolescence.