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Updated: Aug 2, 2026
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
[Clinical-epidemiological analysis of 159 children with cryptorchidism]
M A Delgado Nicolás1, R Sánchez González, M C Uriondo González
1Hospital del Niño Jesús, Madrid.
Insights
Cryptorchidism diagnoses in children were often delayed, with many cases showing associated malformations and a family history. Hormonal levels were typically normal, and ultrasound was not effective for non-palpable testes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Urology
- Andrology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Cryptorchidism, or undescended testes, is a common congenital condition in pediatric patients.
- Early diagnosis and management are crucial for optimal outcomes and fertility preservation.
- Understanding the epidemiological and clinical profile is essential for improving care pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the epidemiological and clinical features of pediatric Cryptorchidism in a specific region.
- To identify associated conditions and risk factors in children diagnosed with Cryptorchidism.
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of palpation and imaging in Cryptorchidism.
Main Methods:
- A crossover study design was employed.
- Data were collected from 159 children referred for Cryptorchidism assessment.
- Specialist care setting provided the clinical context for the study.
Main Results:
- The average age of detection for Cryptorchidism was between 1.5 to 3 years.
- Unilateral Cryptorchidism occurred in 120 children, while 39 had bilateral involvement.
- Associated anatomical malformations were present in 42.7% of cases, significantly higher in bilateral Cryptorchidism.
- Testes were not palpable in 29.3% of cases; common locations included high inguinal and low inguinal.
- Hormonal studies were normal in all but one case of Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism.
Conclusions:
- Cryptorchidism diagnoses were frequently delayed, indicating potential areas for improved early detection strategies.
- A significant proportion of children had a family history of Cryptorchidism and/or associated malformations.
- Hormonal profiles were generally normal, suggesting that endocrine dysfunction is uncommon.
- Echography demonstrated limited utility in locating undescended testes that were not palpable through physical examination.
Objective:
To determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of children with Cryptorchidism in our milieu.
Design:
Crossover study.
Setting:
Specialist care.
Patients:
159 children referred from Primary Care for a Cryptorchidism study.
Measurements And Results:
Average age of detection: 1.5-3 years. Laterality: 120 unilateral (73 right and 47 left) and 39 bilateral. Family history of Cryptorchidism in 33 cases (20.7%). 68 children (42.7%) had some anatomical malformation associated with poor testicular descent. This percentage was significantly higher in children with bilateral Cryptorchidism than with unilateral (61.5% vs 36.6%; p < 0.05). Nine children defined with multiple malformation syndromes. Location of the testes after palpation: 29.3% not able to be palpated, 22.7% high inguinal, 23.2% low inguinal, 17.1% sliding, 5% retractile and 2.5% scrotal. All cases showed normal in the hormonal study, except one case of Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism.
Conclusions:
The diagnoses of Cryptorchidism were not early. Family history and associated malformations in the body himself often exist. Hormonal levels are normal. Echography is of little use in locating testes that cannot be palpated.
