Penoscrotal Conditions in Children and Young People
There’s a wide range of penoscrotal problems that can affect children. If you or your child notices anything unusual, it’s important to seek advice from a paediatric urologist to receive an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
02036532042
What are penoscrotal problems?
Penoscrotal problems are conditions of the penis and scrotum (the sac that surrounds the testicles). Penoscrotal problems are fairly common in young children. Some may resolve by themselves as children grow, while others will require treatment.
At Welbeck, our consultants currently diagnose and treat penoscrotal problems in children and young people aged 12 to 18.
Common penoscrotal problems in children
Phimosis
Phimosis is a condition where a child has a tight foreskin (the skin that covers the end of the penis) that persists beyond the age of 5 or that may cause problems passing urine. It commonly resolves spontaneously, but occasionally needs to be treated by surgical removal of the foreskin.
Hydroceles
A hydrocele is a buildup of fluid in the scrotum. Hydroceles are common in newborn babies, are often painless, and can get better on their own as the fluid is gradually reabsorbed by the body. Sometimes older children can develop a hydrocele following certain conditions such as injury of the scrotum, scrotal inflammation, infections, and tumours. While most hydroceles are painless, those that do cause symptoms may need surgical repair.
Undescended testicles (cryptorchidism)
During development in the womb, the testicles initially develop within the abdomen and then move down into the scrotum before birth. Sometimes, this process happens more slowly, only partially, or not at all. When a testicle does not reach its usual position in the scrotum, this is called an undescended testicle or cryptorchidism. If a testicle has not moved to the scrotum by the age of 6 months, a surgical procedure is often needed - your consultant will advise on the most appropriate treatment.
Retractile testicle
A retractile testicle (sometimes also called a hypermobile testicle) is a testicle that has descended into the scrotum but can freely move back into the groin, often as a response to touch, temperature, fear, excitement or laughter. This is very common in young children and is not usually a cause for concern. As children grow, the testicles stop being able to move freely and remain in the scrotum.
If your child’s testicle is not in the scrotum, it’s important to get it checked to determine if it’s retractable or undescended, or if there are any other issues. If your child has a retractable testicle, they may need to be monitored to ensure the testicle remains in the correct position as they grow.
Testicular lumps
Lumps found in the testicles of children are usually not cancerous and can be caused by a range of benign conditions, including hydroceles, cysts, infection, swollen veins or inguinal hernias. It’s important to get any lump you notice on your child's testicles checked to rule out any serious conditions and to find out if any treatment is needed.
Penoscrotal webbing
Penoscrotal webbing, also known as a webbed penis, is a condition where skin connecting the penis and scrotum is too high up on the penis, causing a web-like appearance. The condition can be present at birth, but can also occur when too much skin is removed during circumcision. It doesn’t typically cause problems in childhood, but can cause painful erections and make sexual intercourse challenging in later life, so surgical treatment in childhood is recommended.
Hypospadias and epispadias
Hypospadias and epispadias are birth defects that affect the position of the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the body). Epispadias is where the urethra hasn’t fully developed, and the opening is on the top of the penis. Epispadias is usually associated with a shortened and wide penis. Hypospadias is where the urethra doesn’t fully develop and reach the penis tip, with the opening on the underside of the penis. If your child has hypospadias, they may also have an underdeveloped foreskin, a penis that curves downward, and undescended testicles. In both cases, treatment is recommended to correct the defect and improve both function and appearance.
How are penoscrotal problems diagnosed at Welbeck?
Our paediatric urologists will begin by talking to you and your child about the problem and any medical history, and will ask to carry out a physical examination. Often, this will be enough to diagnose a penoscrotal condition, but other diagnostic tests may sometimes be needed.
Other diagnostic tests may include:
- urinalysis to check the urine for signs of infection and other issues
- urine sample collection for laboratory testing
- blood tests
- a swab sample
- ultrasound
- CT or MRI scans
- biopsy (in rare cases)
If a physical examination or ultrasound is required, your child will be accompanied by a chaperone to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
How are penoscrotal problems treated at Welbeck?
Some penoscrotal problems can resolve themselves as a child grows, but others will require treatments which will vary depending on the diagnosis.
At Welbeck, all treatment plans are individualised to the patient. Treatments for penoscrotal problems include:
- wound care
- antibiotic treatment
- topical steroid cream
- surgical correction or repair
- psychological support
Why choose Welbeck?
At Welbeck, our leading paediatric urologists use the latest innovations in healthcare to accurately diagnose and treat a wide range of penoscrotal conditions in our world-class outpatient clinic. Your child will receive the best possible care in a welcoming and supportive environment where you both feel supported and listened to.
With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if needed to ensure your child receives the best possible treatment as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art clinics, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
Book a private consultation
Your child’s health is of utmost importance to us, so we strive to offer same-day and next-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance for your child, their treatment at Welbeck can begin once your provider has confirmed authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
FAQs
When should I seek advice about my child’s penoscrotal development?
We recommend that you seek advice about your child’s penoscrotal development if:
they have a tight foreskin beyond the age of 5 or which causes problems with urination
they notice any unusual lumps in their testicles or scrotum
your child experiences any pain or discomfort in the area
there any signs of infection - the genitals are warm to the touch, there’s redness in the area, oozing discharge, an abnormal smell, or swelling
your child struggles when trying to urinate or has pain or burning when trying to urinate
your child has a persistent rash or itching
Can penoscrotal problems in childhood affect fertility in later life?
Most often, penoscrotal problems in childhood do not impact fertility in later life, but it’s important to seek help for any issues as early as possible, as some conditions, such as an undescended testicle, can lead to fertility problems if left untreated.
Can a testicular lump in a child be cancerous?
Testicular cancer in children is extremely rare, and testicular lumps in children are much more likely to be caused by a range of benign conditions. If your child notices any testicular lumps, it’s important to get them checked as soon as possible.
How common are penoscrotal conditions in children?
Penoscrotal conditions are relatively common in children and can range widely in severity. While some conditions resolve on their own, others require medical or surgical intervention.