SAEDNEWS: This article highlights ten essential tips for mothers who have sons.
According to Saed News, citing Nini Site:
Unfortunately, a significant number of newborn boys with undescended testicles go undiagnosed. Often, the condition is only discovered when a boy undergoes a medical examination before military service. At birth, both testicles should be located within the scrotum. Parents should request that their pediatrician examine their child specifically for undescended testicles.
In some cases, both testicles are affected. If not treated promptly, the child may face infertility in the future. Additionally, the appearance of an empty scrotum can cause long-term psychological stress. Parents should know that the latest age at which we can wait for the testicles to descend naturally is 12 months. After this age, surgery is required to bring them down. Undescended testicles also carry a higher risk of cancer, even if surgically corrected, so lifelong monitoring is recommended.
Some newborn boys are born with a swollen scrotum due to fluid accumulation, known as hydrocele. Hydroceles in newborns can be communicating or non-communicating. Most cases are communicating hydroceles. In this type, gentle pressure can temporarily move the fluid back into the abdomen, but it returns later. Communicating hydroceles often resolve by age two as the connection closes, so surgery is usually postponed until then.
Boys who are circumcised during infancy may develop narrowing of the urethra over time. Urine acidity can irritate the urethra after removal of the protective foreskin, sometimes causing a severe narrowing called “pinpoint urethra.” This condition requires a minor procedure to restore normal urine flow. Untreated urethral narrowing can increase bladder pressure and negatively affect the kidneys.
Hypospadias occurs when the urethral opening is located lower than normal on the underside of the penis. Circumcision should be delayed in these cases, as skin from the foreskin is often used to repair the defect.
For boys older than two months who are not yet circumcised, surgical circumcision is recommended. Parents should not view circumcision as a simple procedure; it requires skill. The best method is a surgical approach performed by a trained urologist. Using rings or other shortcuts can lead to complications and incomplete removal of foreskin. Improper circumcision can cause lasting psychological effects on the child.
If a boy experiences even a single confirmed urinary tract infection, doctors should evaluate him for reflux, a condition where urine flows backward from the bladder toward the kidneys.
Parents should track their child’s onset of puberty. Two main problems can occur: delayed onset or complete absence of puberty. The first sign of puberty is testicular enlargement, usually occurring between ages 12 and 13 and must happen by age 14 at the latest.
Until circumcision, maintaining genital hygiene is crucial. Parents should periodically retract the foreskin to prevent adhesions between the foreskin and the glans and to prevent buildup of secretions.
If a child urinates at an angle, he may have a rotated penis, and parents should consult a specialist.
If a child is born with ambiguous genitalia, it is important not to assume the child’s sex. Careful medical evaluation is required before assigning male or female gender.
