Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 15, 2025
Microscopic Cyst Resection for the Treatment of Patients Diagnosed with Epididymal Cyst
Published on: March 31, 2023
Prevalence of congenital cryptorchidism in Estonia
Viljo Kübarsepp1,2, Karin Varik1,2, Heili Varendi3,4
1Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
Insights
Cryptorchidism, or undescended testes, affects 2.1% of newborns in Estonia. Prevalence decreases with age, with most cases resolving spontaneously by six months, indicating lower rates than global averages.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Urology
- Developmental Biology
- Public Health
Background:
- Cryptorchidism is a common congenital urogenital malformation with variable prevalence.
- Understanding regional variations is crucial for public health initiatives.
- Estonia's specific prevalence data was previously unestablished.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine and analyze the prevalence of cryptorchidism in Estonia.
- To assess spontaneous testicular descent rates in Estonian infants.
- To compare Estonian cryptorchidism rates with international data.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 5014 consecutively born boys at Tartu University Hospital (2012-2015) were examined.
- Infants diagnosed with cryptorchidism underwent at least six months of follow-up.
- Prevalence was analyzed based on birth status, gestational age, birth weight, and ethnicity.
Main Results:
- At birth, 2.1% of boys had cryptorchidism, with higher rates in preterm (11.9%) and low birth weight (16.7%) infants.
- Spontaneous testicular descent occurred in 61.6% of affected infants by six months.
- By six months, prevalence was 0.7-1.0% across different birth weight and gestational age groups, with lower rates than previously reported globally.
Conclusions:
- Estonia exhibits a lower prevalence of cryptorchidism, particularly in full-term infants, compared to Nordic-Baltic countries and worldwide.
- Early detection and follow-up are essential, as most cases resolve spontaneously.
- Further research into contributing factors for observed variations may be warranted.
Background:
Cryptorchidism is one of the most common urogenital malformations. Cryptorchidism prevalence varies greatly in different countries and populations. The aim of the current study was to determine and analyse cryptorchidism prevalence in Estonia.
Materials And Methods:
During 2012-2015, all consecutively born 5014 boys at Tartu University Hospital were examined for cryptorchidism. All the subjects with cryptorchidism were followed up for at least 6 months to assess spontaneous testicular descent.
Results:
Note that 2.1% cases had one or both testicles undescended at birth, 1.6% cases at expected date of birth, 1% cases at 3 months of age, and 0.8% cases at the age of 6 months had cryptorchidism. Cryptorchidism prevalence at birth was higher in preterm boys (11.9%), boys of low birth weight (16.7%) and boys small for gestational age (14%) but was lower in full-term newborn boys (1.1%). During follow-up, testes descended spontaneously in 61.6% of boys, more commonly in prematurely born boys (92%) and boys with low gestational weight (93%) as compared to full-term cryptorchid boys (29.2%) and cryptorchid boys with normal birth weight (34%). At the age of 6 months, cryptorchidism prevalence was equalized in preterm boys (0.9%) and boys with low birth weight (1%) as compared to full-term boys (0.7%) and boys with normal birth weight (0.7%). Boys SGA required surgical intervention more commonly than boys with normal birth weight. Ethnically, cryptorchidism prevalence at birth was similar among Estonians and non-Estonians.
Conclusion:
Our data revealed that cryptorchidism prevalence, especially in full-term boys, is lower in Estonia than reported in the other Nordic-Baltic countries and worldwide.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:23Infertility in Males
01:20Disorders of the Male Reproductive System
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra....