Stretched penile length for Syrian children aged 0-5 years: Cross-sectional study

The early detection of the anatomical anomalies (e.g. micropenis) of the male external genital organs is crucial for both medical and psychological reasons. During routine pediatric visits, careful inspection using standards of penis size is beneficial for the diagnosis of micropenis and macropenis. Stretched penile length (SPL) has been shown to be more dependable than the flaccid penis length. Consequently, the SPL must be measured and compared to age-appropriate normal values.

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the normal range of stretched penile length in newborns and children aged 1 month to 5 years in Syria and explore the correlation between SPL, height, and weight.

Data was collected from 300 Syrian males aged 0-5 years. SPL measurements were taken using a standardized procedure. Participants were divided into eight age groups. Statistical analysis determined the mean SPL, standard deviation, range, and rate of increase in SPL for each group. The distribution of SPL data was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Pearson correlation analysis examined the relationship between SPL and height, weight, and BMI.

Mean SPL increased with age, ranging from 2.36 cm in newborns to 4.29 cm in children aged 48-60 months. The 48-60 months group exhibited the largest range of SPL. The rate of SPL increase was highest in children aged 1-2.9 months. SPL values followed a normal distribution. Significant positive correlations were found between SPL and weight in the 36-47.99 months group and between SPL and height in the 6-11.9 months and 36-47.99 months groups.

This study establishes the normal reference range of SPL in Syrian newborns and children aged 1 month to 5 years. The findings indicate that SPL is influenced significantly by height and weight in certain age groups. These results contribute to understanding penile development and can assist in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting penile size.