Male sex organs, testicles, form near the kidneys during fetal development. As the baby grows in the womb, the testicles move down into the scrotum.
Overview
An undescended testicle is one that doesn’t fully descend, instead stopping between the groin and the scrotum or elsewhere in the baby’s pelvic area. This condition is more common in premature babies.
Our approach
M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital physicians provide your child with comprehensive, coordinated care from a variety of medical specialties. Physicians will monitor babies whose testicles have not descended. Sometimes, they can manually manipulate the testicle into the scrotum. Other times, surgery is necessary.
Testicles that remain outside of the scrotum for a long time produce fewer sperm and have a higher risk of cancer. An undescended testicle can also with a hernia, requiring treatment.