Factors Responsible for Late Presentation of Boys with Undescended Testis: A Single Centre Experience

Introduction: Undescended testis is failure of descent of one or both testes. Delayed surgery reduces the fertility index of the testis. Also causes increase rate of malignancy, testicular torsion and trauma. Current Guidelines Recommends Orchidopexy done within 6-12 months of age. Objective: To understand the current reasons behind the late presentation of boys with undescended testes. Methods: An Observational, Cross-sectional study was conducted in Kanti Children’s Hospital from November 2023 to November 2024. Ethical Approval was taken from Institutional Review Committee of the Hospital. Any boy presenting with undescended testis after the 12 months of age was considered as delayed presentation. Results: Out of the 385 boys, mean age of presentation to our hospital was 3.9 years (12 months-14 years). Mean age of first presentation to a doctor regarding this problem was 1.7 years (5 months to 7 years). 80% of the parents had visited the health professionals previously and were advised for surgery at later age. 48% were advised for surgery at 2-5 years, 35% were advised at 1-2 years and 17% were advised after 5 years of age by doctors/health professionals. 91% of the boys were born in hospitals whereas, 9% were born at home. 92% of the parents had no prior knowledge about the undescended testis, the time of descend and its complications. Conclusions: The lack of awareness about the undescended testis among the parents were high. However, the lack of knowledge regarding the timing of descend of testis and timing of surgery among the doctors were very high. Lack of screening programs for congenital anomalies were identified.