Uneven testicle size in 4 month baby

[GeorginaA]

Actually, it's dh who's worried about this one - I hadn't even noticed! But he's talking about taking ds2 to the doctor as one of my poor baby's testicles is more than twice the size of the other.

Anyone know if this is fairly normal? Can't say it looks particularly swollen and they look normalish to me. Neither of us can remember if they were always such disparate sizes or whether it's a new development.

Dh is so laid back about most things baby that he's virtually horizontal, though, so if he's worried about it I thought I'd check it out with the ever-wise Mumsnet.

I would check it out as ds had an undecended testes that never did descend of its own accord, if it is that they will probably monitor for a couple of years before doing anything. We did eventually treat as I was worried about future fertility.

On the other hand don't most men have different sized balls anyway!

Get a second opinion - worst case they will just think you are the usual paranoid mum

Would get it checked out GeorginaA - boys can also develop a hydrocele or hernia that can be detected by different sized testicles. Easily sorted though. Testicles are usually 2 different sizes but not as marked as you describe.

get it checked out but...

if you can shine a torch through it it shouldn't be a torsion ( this is the thing to worry about i think)

it could easily be a hydrocele where the tube hasn't shut properly, ds had this, and it is completely resolved now and has been for months (ds is 11 months old)...one in five baby boys is born with this i think, nothing at all to worry about, just needs monitoring...hth

Eep! Thanks all. Dh is going to make an appt with the doctor and take ds2 down (easier if he does it, because he saw it and can explain it better - I had a look this morning and can't see a noticeable difference, but they're not all warm and floppy like they were in the bath last night!!)

Thanks for the prompt info.

amost certainly a hydrocoele. Torsion is agony! Usually settles, but if it doesn't then a very small op will sort it.

Georgina is it the left one - if so it is probably nothing - ALL mens left testicles are lower due to the tube that runs from the kidneys to them for some reason, is either longer on one side or has less distance to cover- have checked DP and is deffo true!!

No, it's the righthand one. I had a look today after ds2's nap (when he was nice and toasty warm!) and dh is right - it's quite a considerable size difference. Will be visiting the GP methinks.

GeorginaA
Had same experience with my boy, very common, however, do get it checked out. We were referred to paed and condition was monitored. He told us that they would wait for child to reach age 2 by which time the problem has normally sorted itself out. We went about every 3 months or so until he said things were fine. This was just before my sons 2nd birthday so, if it is a hydrocele don't panic if things take a while to sort themselves out.
Softie

Just a quick update. Ds2 saw a GP this morning and it is a hydrocele as predicted. He's going to get a paed's appointment at the hospital shortly to investigate further.

Thank you for all your prompt advice which encouraged us to refer him to a GP in the first place - I really wouldn't have realised it could have been a problem otherwise!

Thanks again.