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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffLow birth weight and premature birth are the best understood risk factors that may increase the likelihood of undescended testicle in a newborn. Other risk factors are not as well understood. Conditions that may increase the risk include:
- Low birth weight
- Premature birth
- Family history of undescended testicle or other problems of genital development
- Conditions of the fetus that can restrict growth, such as Down syndrome or an abdominal wall defect
- Alcohol use by the mother during pregnancy
- Cigarette smoking by mother or exposure to secondhand smoke
- Diabetes in the mother — type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes
- Parents' exposure to some pesticides
References
- Elder J. Disorders and anomalies of the scrotal contents. In: Kliegman R, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders, Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/102535550-2/0/1608/1246.html?tocnode=54484554&fromURL=1246.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50547-8_9817. Accessed Aug. 15, 2008.
- Hutson JM, et al. Current management of the undescended testicle. Seminars in Pediatric Surgery 2007;16(1):64-70.
- Barthold JS. Undescended testis: Current theories of etiology. Current Opinion in Urology. 2008;18(4):395-400.
- Kelsberg G, et al. Clinical inquiries. When should a child with an undescended testis be referred to a urologist? Journal of Family Practice. 2006;55(4):336-337.
- Cooper, CS. Undescended testicle (cryptorchidism). www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 25, 2008.
- Esposito C, et al. Management of boys with nonpalpable undescended testis. Nature Clinical Practice Urology. 2008;5(5):252-60.
- Liptak GS. Genital defects. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec23/ch265/ch265d.html. Accessed Aug. 19, 2008.
