Abnormalities of the external genitalia in school-age boys in Turkey: A contemporary epidemiologic evaluation

Abstract

Objective: Our aim is to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed external genital abnomalities in school-age boys in our region. Material and Methods: Five thousand sixty-one Turkish primary school boys between the ages of 7 and 13 years (mean age 10.9 years) were examined regarding to external genital abnormalities. Physical examinations were performed in standing position initially and then in supine position when necessary. All boys were questioned closely regarding symptoms (such as scrotal pain) and awareness of any abnormality. Results: Abnormalities of the external genitalia were found in 243 (4.80%) of the boys. Of these, 75 (1.48%) had varicocele, 73 (1.44%) had undescended testis, 40 (0.79%) had indirect inguinal hernia, 29 (0.57%) had hydrocele and 23 (0.45%) had hypospadias. Other rarely diagnosed abnormalities were poliorchidism, paratesticular mass and penile curvature. Of the boys with varicocele, 14.6% had grade I, 77.3% had grade II and 8% had grade III disease according to Dubin and Amelar's grading system. Fifty percent of undescended testes were right-sided and the others were either left-sided or bilateral. Conclusion: High prevalence of external genital abnormalities in our region is remarkable. Poor primary healthcare and socio-economic factors might have been contributed to this issue. © 2011 by Türkiye Klinikleri.