ABSTRACT
In 1950, Scorer followed 1499 male newborns and reported an overall incidence of undescended testis (cryptorchidism) in 2.7% at birth and 0.8% at three months of age (1). Subsequent reports (2) have demonstrated an increasing number of cases-5.9% at birth and 1.6% at three months of age. An increased rate of up to 9% was reported in premature and low birth weight neonates. The incidence of cryptorchidism also increases in neural tube defect disorders, myelomeningocele, omphalocele, anencephaly, abnormalities of testosterone biosynthesis defects, 5-α-reductase deficiency, peripheral androgen-receptor abnormalities, and in dis orders of gonadotropin deficiencies such as Kallmann’s syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and Lawrence-Moon-Biedl syndrome. Genetic predisposition seems to play a role in cryptorchidism, with similar manifestations noted in 1% to 4% of siblings and 6% of fathers with cryptorchidism (3). There also appears to be an increased incidence of intersexuality (ambiguous genitalia) in children with cryptorchidism and hypospadias. An intersexual individual is one who is born with genitalia and/or secondary sex characteristics determined as neither exclusively male nor female, or who exhibits combined features of the male and female sexes. The incidence of intersexuality increases with the severity of cryptorchidism and the degree of hypospadias (4).
