Assessment of testicular volume in neonates in the tropical province of China

BMC Pediatrics

Research

Xiaowen Chen¹  Shuai Yang²  Yiqun Lu³  Weizhen Bu⁴  Zhisheng Wan⁴  Songqiang Chen⁴  Shaohua Hu⁴  Zhenli Zhao⁴ 

[1] Department of Pediatric, Hainan Women and Children’s Medical Center, Changbin Road, Xiuying District, 570206, Haikou, China;Department of Ultrasound, Hainan Women and Children’s Medical Center, Changbin Road, Xiuying District, 570206, Haikou, China;Department of Urology, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, No 399, Wanyuan Road, Minhang District, 201102, Shanghai, China;Department of Urology, Hainan Women and Children’s Medical Center, Changbin Road, Xiuying District, 570206, Haikou, China;

关键词: Neonates;    Premature;    Low birth weight;    Testicular volume;    Cryptorchidism;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12887-023-04274-w

 received in 2023-05-15, accepted in 2023-08-25,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundTesticular volume in neonates is a potential indicator of testicular development during the fetal period, particularly the masculinization programming window. Reliable measurements of testicular volume provide an opportunity for early detection of testicular abnormalities. This study aimed to assess the testicular volume in neonates and evaluate its relationship with gestational week and birth weight in Hainan Province, China.MethodsData on 458 neonates who underwent ultrasonography examinations at our institution from 2018 to 2022 were collected. The neonates were categorized by gestational week, birth weight, and presence of cryptorchidism. We evaluated the testicular volume among different groups and its relationship to gestational week and birth weight.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the right and left testicular volume in neonates without cryptorchidism. However, a significant difference was observed between normal birth weight and low birth weight neonates in terms of testicular volume. Similarly, there was a significant difference between premature and full-term neonates in testicular volume. Bilateral testicular volume showed positive and significant correlations with gestational week and birth weight. Additionally, a significant difference was noted in testicular volume between the affected side in neonates with cryptorchidism and the same side in normal birth weight full-term neonates.ConclusionsWe established the normal range of testicular volume for neonates in Hainan Province and demonstrated that testicular volume is positively correlated with both birth weight and gestational week. Cryptorchidism also affects testicular volume during the neonatal period, likely due to reduced androgenic exposure in utero, particularly during the masculinization programming window. The findings of this study have significant implications for assessing testis development during fetal development.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2023

【 图 表 】

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