What is Undescended Testis?
Undescended testis – also known as cryptorchidism – is a condition which causes one or both testicles not to be present in the normal position inside the scrotum. It is estimated that 1 in 25 newborns has undescended testis at birth. Some of these babies will be normal as the testis can still migrate down to the scrotum up to the age of three months. In general, only one testicle is affected (undescended testicle), although in around 10 percent of cases both testicles are undescended.
What is cryptorchidism?
An undescended testicle, medically known as cryptorchidism, is a common condition in young male children where one of the testicles has not moved into its usual position in the scrotum. It can occur with one (unilateral cryptorchidism) or both (bilateral cryptorchidism) testes. It is a problem that is thought to affect approximately 4% of baby boys, although in most cases the testicle(s) will descend of its own accord in the first six months after birth. An undescended testicle may be in one of a number of places: