External genital abnormalities in male schoolchildren: an epidemiological study

Introduction External genital abnormalities represent the most common congenital anomalies. Proper, not delayed diagnosis and treatment of certain abnomalities (undescended testis, hypospadia, varicocele) is of great importance for future fertility potential of children. Material and methods An epidemiological study, that consisted of an urological check-up, was performed among school-aged boys in two elementary schools. Prevalence of external genital, and inguinal region was examined. Results A total of 1229 elementary school boys were examined. The incidence of external genital abnomalities was 27.8%. Certain anomalies were already surgically treated in 7.8% of boys. Phimosis was found in 66 patients (5,5%), which represents 26.6% of all abnomalities. Discussion In this study the incidence of undescended testis was 2.0%. Although it is similar to literature data, the fact that undescended testis was found in 25 boys older than 7 years (two of them 15 years old!) suggests that the primary health care is not satisfactory. The incidence of inguinal hernia and hydrocele varies according to different authors from 0.8-4.4% to 13.44%. In this study the incidence was 2.4%. Varicocele represents a developmental anomaly and the incidence is increasing with age. It is rare in boys up to 10 years of age, but the incidence of varicocele in boys aged 15 years (15.8%) reaches the level of incidence in adults (19.82%). The incidence of phimosis in this study was 5.5%. Conclusion High incidence of external genital abnormalities in school aged boys suggests a need for further education of physicians in primary health care services as well as of parents.