Patient's question:
My baby is now 15 months old. Before turning one, all the health check-ups said everything was normal. At the one-year health check-up, the doctor said the left testicle hadn't dropped down, but it hadn't moved to its normal position either. What should I do in this situation?Doctor's answer:
I'm glad to help you clarify your question. Based on your description, the child has cryptorchidism, which is caused by abnormal testicular ascent. There are many factors that can lead to abnormal testicular ascent, including the following common ones:1. Abnormal or absent gubernaculum, which fails to bring the testicle into the scrotum, preventing it from descending to its original position.
2. Congenital testicular dysgenesis, where the testicle becomes unresponsive to gonadotropins, losing its ascent mechanism.
3. Hypothalamic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) stimulates the pituitary to secrete luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). For children whose testicles have not descended into the scrotum by 6 months after birth, early surgery is recommended. For adolescents with cryptorchidism, if detected early, testicular ascent fixation surgery should be performed. If the testicle is found to be swollen or unable to ascend into the scrotum during surgery, a testectomy may be necessary if needed.