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Congenital abdominal wall defects and cryptorchidism: a population-based study
Arimatias Raitio1, Johanna Syvänen2, Asta Tauriainen2,3
1Department of Paediatric Surgery, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, 20521, Turku, Finland. arimatias.raitio@fimnet.fi.
Pediatric Surgery International
|January 31, 2021
Summary
Undescended testis (UDT) is more common in boys with abdominal wall defects (AWD), especially omphalocele. Careful follow-up for UDT is recommended due to its high prevalence in this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Neonatal Urology
- Congenital Malformations
Background:
- Undescended testis (UDT) is frequently observed in infants with congenital abdominal wall defects (AWD).
- The precise prevalence of testicular maldescent in this specific population remains unclear due to the rarity of AWDs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of UDT in Finnish males diagnosed with gastroschisis or omphalocele.
- To compare the incidence of UDT between gastroschisis and omphalocele patients.
Main Methods:
- A national register study identified male infants with gastroschisis or omphalocele born between 1998 and 2015.
- Data on UDT diagnoses and surgical interventions were extracted from national healthcare and malformation registers.
Main Results:
- Out of 99 gastroschisis and 89 omphalocele cases, UDT was diagnosed in 10.1% and 24.7% respectively.
- Surgical intervention for UDT was required in 8.1% of gastroschisis and 21.3% of omphalocele cases.
- Omphalocele was associated with a significantly higher prevalence of UDT compared to gastroschisis.
Conclusions:
- Cryptorchidism (UDT) is more prevalent in boys with AWD than in the general population.
- Omphalocele presents a substantially higher risk for UDT and subsequent orchidopexy compared to gastroschisis.
- Given the elevated UDT rates, diligent monitoring is advised for infants with abdominal wall defects.
