undescended testicles, both balls, both boys.

[twolittleboysonetiredmum]

Hi
My nearly one year old had his one year check a few weeks ago and the HV couldn't find his testes so advised going to the docs. This prompted us to check our 2.5 ds as well, and we couldn't find his either. Took both to the docs today and she couldn't find any of them :( at birth, and their 6 week check they were both checked and found according to their red books. Doc says this can't have been true as she would be able to feel the testicles in the groin, and there's no way they could have gone back up passed the pubic bone. I mentioned that both husband and I have felt ds1 before, and she said he may have had a very undeveloped one which managed to get back up. She said both boys scrotums are under developed and has referred them to the hospital.
I am so, so worried and annoyed we never thought to check. Not so much with ds2 as he still little, but for ds2 as he's 2.5 and from what Internet says you should operate before they are two. And I'm worried that maybe they don't have any at all? I'm.just so worried.
But also confused, is it likely that 4 different people at their baby checks would get it wrong? Is she wrong about them not being able to retract to be unpalpable? I've no reason to doubt her, she seemed pretty clued up. But then that strikes me as odd. Can any gps or health professionals advise?

Anyone any experience of this? She also said that it was unusual for them both to have it, and perhaps they could have a congenital problem. Which has made me more worried. Please make me feel better with solid hard fact in a positive direction!

@twolittleboysonetiredmum congrats, 1 found, 3 to go! It's normal for you to feel like there is less there with DS1 - he's older and his body's bigger, so there's more space in the groin and a testicle the same size as DS2's won't be as noticeable.

To answer your question, if they'd gone back up they would be called reascended, but in terms of treatment it makes no difference. It could've reascended because the cord attached to the testicle hasn't grown and is too short, or there's an extra bit of skin attached to the testicle (source)

What you want them distinguished from is retractile testicles, where the cremaster muscle is overactive and pulls them up and down like a yo-yo. When my DS had surgery they marked one as definitely undescended and the other with a question mark - which in theatre they found to be retractile (under anaesthetic everything relaxes, so they can tell) so thankfully they only had to operate on one.

Sorry for the delay. We are hoping to go privately at DH as covered at work. DS has a heart condition which is complicating things so not sure how feasible it will be.

I spoke with a surgeon yesterday who said the op will depend on if they were really there at the six week check. They can be missed apparently so a specialist needs to try and manipulate them first.

I think I can see one bobbing about in his lower abdomen but I'm not really sure what 's what tbh.

Sarahsarah you are wise, thanks for the link. So of its resacended rather than retractile are the implications re fertility and cancer risks the same as if undescended? I've just had a call from.gp whose pushing for a medical rather than surgical referral as she's worried they may have a pituitary issue, as it's both boys. Which means we have to get re referred, and delays the process longer. But she's right to get it investigated I know. Just makes me worry further :(
Sounds like you have extra things to worry about with your ds superworm, I hope he is ok to get the op. Great you are private and it can happen quickly at least x

Hi twolittleboysonetiredmum, sorry for the delay! I'm afraid I don't know the answer to your question, and it doesn't seem to be one that's been researched. My guess would be that it's slightly lower risk - but recent research I've seen suggests that abnormalities are present in the sperm-producing cells by 6 months, so operating at a year (or even 2) doesn't make too much difference.

Hi twolittleboysonetiredmum and Superworm, how did you and your DS's get on?

I would like to know too!
Just stumbled across this as DS is going through similar. I remember them checking in hospital and telling me that all bits were found. I don't remember the 6 week check, but then it went okay so must have been found then too.
When he was about 12 months ish we ended up at the walk-in centre to check him out because he had extreme scrotal swelling and then ended up being sent to A&E in a panic as they thought he might have a twisted testicle and they were very alarmed. In the end all was okay but he had a hydrocele that refused to go away completely (least not for long). Our GP spotted that 1 testicle was descended and referred us to a paediatric consultant. This all took place within a couple of weeks, but then the process just dragged and dragged. We've been back and forth being "monitored" with very little concern and finally they've decided that the testicle is high but fine, but the hydrocele needs operating and he's got his date through for surgery now and will be going in in 3 weeks time.
Am bricking it now although it seems fairly routine. I am worried because i'm concerned they'll change their mind in the future and bring him under the knife again, and also because he'll be 3 about a month after the surgery and i know it'll be a very traumatic day for us because he's old enough to know what's going on and young enough to be bloody resentful over it and not know why he needs it!

I know it’s a little bit old thread at this stage, but anyone has any update on how this went for you?
My one year old has both undescended testicles, and they were definitely there at all previous check ups. We are referred to consultant now, but I am just anxious about it all 😖

Hi Ennyta, I have had the exact same happen. They were found at birth, and 6 week check and I remember seeing them myself. But at some point they have disappeared. HV noticed st 15 month check and GP referred us today as he couldn't feel either up in the groin or anywhere. I am also worrying. Sending you love x

Hi

I know this post is really old now but I'm having major anxiety about my son. He was diagnosed with having 2 undescended testicles which he had surgery done at 2 years and 2 months old. I remember trying to speed the op up but unfortunately covid was still around and there was delays. He's 5 now and I've noticed his testicles are small, which they have always been and been reading google and going down a rabbit hole with depressing stories that I can't seem to stop reading about. I suffer with health anxiety as it is

I just fear he had it to late and worse because it's both of them that was affected. im concerned about his fertility and risk of cancer when he is older. Any positives stories from mothers who have had children that are older and starting families would be really helpful as I'd like to hear some positives instead of negatives

I'm just a worried mum in need of a little emotional support 😢 Sorry for the long essay!

Testicle volume is very small in babies and they don't really grow much in childhood until the onset of puberty.

You are probably best off contacting the team who did your operation and asking if they have any information for parents? Anything you were told at the time may not have been easily digested.

Thanks for the reply!

We are actually waiting a referral from hospital for a ultrasound for him but tsking ages so going down private route so hopefully get more answers. Yes probably didn't take it all in as it was a stressful day 😒