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Incidence at birth and natural history of cryptorchidism: A study of 10,730 consecutive male infants

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Abstract

Of the 10,730 neonates born in the period 1978–1997 and examined for cryptorchidism (C) at birth, 1387 were pre-term (gestational age <37 wk), and 9343 were full-term. At birth, a total of 737 neonates (6.9%) were cryptorchid, 487 had bilateral C and 250 unilateral C. The C rate of pre-terms was 10 times higher than that of the full-terms (30.1 and 3.4%, respectively). Comparing the two studied decades, a significant decrease of C rate was found in the second decade in full-term neonates. The rates of C at birth were significantly elevated for low birth weight, babies born from mothers with an age <20 or >35 yr, newborns from mothers with A Rh positive and B Rh positive blood group. Of the 737 cryptorchid newborns at birth, 613 (83%) were re-examined after 12 months from the expected date of delivery, and those born in the period 1988–1997 were also re-evaluated at 6 months of life. Late spontaneous descent occurred in 464 cases (75.7%), while 149 (24.3%) were still cryptorchid. The incidence of C at 12 months from the expected date of delivery, after survival curve calculation, in term and pre-term infants, was 1.53 and 7.31%, respectively, in the period 1978–1987, and 1.22 and 3.13% respectively, in the 2nd decade (1988–1997). In the groups also examined at 6 months of life, spontaneous descent occurred almost completely within the first 6 months of life in term infants, but not in pre-terms. No evidence of seasonal cyclicity was found. Medical and/or surgical treatment was generally started within 2–4 yr of age earlier in the second decade of the study. In conclusion, the main risk factor for C at birth and at 12 months of life seems to be preterm birth and low birth weight. If this is associated itself to a higher risk of infertility too, it remains to be defined.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neonatology, University of Pisa, S. Chiara Hospital, Via Roma 67, 56126, Pisa, Italy

    P. Ghirri, C. Ciulli, M. Vuerich, A. Cuttano, M. Faraoni, L. Guerrini, S. Tognetti & A. Boldrini

  2. Department of Surgery, University of Pisa, S. Chiara Hospital, Pisa, Italy

    C. Spinelli

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  1. P. Ghirri
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  2. C. Ciulli
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  3. M. Vuerich
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Correspondence to P. Ghirri.

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Ghirri, P., Ciulli, C., Vuerich, M. et al. Incidence at birth and natural history of cryptorchidism: A study of 10,730 consecutive male infants. J Endocrinol Invest 25, 709–715 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03345105

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