Penile and Testicular Measurements in Male Neonates and Infants: Single Center Egyptian Study

• Published in: Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets Vol. 17; no. 4; p. 309
• Main Authors: Hagag, Adel A, Erfan, Adel A, Elrifaey, Shaymaa M, Gamal, Rasha M, Harakan, Ahmed I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United Arab Emirates 16.11.2017
• Subjects: Body Weights and Measures - methods; Body Weights and Measures - standards; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Egypt - epidemiology; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Organ Size - physiology; Penis - anatomy & histology; Penis - growth & development; Reference Values; Testis - anatomy & histology; Testis - growth & development; endocrine discorder; male neonates; Penile measurement; testicular measurement; testosterone; genetic disorders
• ISSN: 2212-3873
• DOI: 10.2174/1871530317666170912152351

Universal reference values of penile length, circumferences and testicular volume in newborns and infants are inappropriate to be used in variable ethnic backgrounds. The aim of this prospective study was to establish normal reference values for stretched penile length, penile circumference and testicular volume for Egyptian newborn and infants. This observational cross-sectional study included 1850 healthy male full term newborn and infants applied for routine check-up, aged 0 -24 months, the newborn and infants were recruited from Tanta University Hospital in the period from July 2015 to January 2017. Penile length, penile circumference, testicular volume, weight, length and occipito-frontal circumference were measured. The studied infants were divided into five groups. Group I: 1-4 weeks, the mean penile length was 3.51 ± 0.49 cm, penile circumference was 3.95 ± 0.48 cm, and testicular size was (right 1.81 ± 0.44 cm and left 1.67 ± 0.47 cm). Group II: > 1-6 months age, the mean penile length was 3.99 ± 0.46 cm, penile circumference was 4.10 ± 0.38 cm, and testicular size was (right 2.10 ± 0.33 cm and left 2.04 ± 0.27 cm). Group III: >6-12 months age, the mean penile length was 4.45 ± 0.48 cm, penile circumference was 4.21 ± 0.33 cm, and testicular size was (right 2.13 ± 0.33 cm and left 2.06 ± 0.28 cm). Group IV: >12-18 months age, the mean penile length was 4.55 ± 0.54 cm, penile circumference was 4.28 ± 0.32 cm, and testicular size was (right 2.12 ± 0.33 cm and left 2.09 ± 0.32 cm). Group V: >18-24 months age, the mean penile length was 4.89 ± 0.63 cm, penile circumference was 4.45 ± 0.33 cm, and testicular size was (right 2.28 ± 0.45 cm and left 2.25 ± 0.45 cm). There were significant positive correlations between penile length, penile circumference, left and right testicular volumes with each other and also with all other anthropometric measures including: weight, height and head circumference. The age-related values of penile and testicular measurements must be known to be able to determine the abnormal sizes and to monitor treatment of underlying diseases. Our study is a step to achieve accurate reference values of penile and testicular measurements for Egyptian male newborns and infants. Therefore multicenter studies are recommended to establish Egyptian norms.