Measurement of Testicular Volume in healthy Nigerian newborns AT IBADAN, NIGERIA using THE PRADER Orchidometer.

BACKGROUND: Determining the normal testicular volume in the newborn at birth is essential in the assessment of the degree of virilization of the external genitalia since abnormal development of the genitalia is closely related to the testicular volume in the male newborns.

OBJECTIVES: To establish a standard testicular volume (TV) for male newborn Nigerians using the Prader Orchidometer and determine the relationship between the testicular volume in the newborn and the age of the newborns at birth, the birth weight, the maternal age at delivery and the maternal parity.

METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study of all term male neonates within 72 hours of birth from April 2013 to March 2014 in the three largest obstetric centres (University College Hospital, Adeoyo Maternity Hospital and Our Lady of Apostles Catholic Hospital) in Ibadan, Nigeria. They underwent clinical examination of the external genitalia and the testicular volumes were measured using the Prader orchidometer.

RESULTS: A total of 867 male neonates were recruited into the study with a mean age of 2.89±6.21 days. The testicular volume ranged from 1 - 3 ml on both sides with a mean right testicular volume of 1.14±0.38 ml. There was a significant correlation between gestational age as well as birth weight and the testicular volume (r = 0.146, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION: This study has determined a normative value for testicular volume measured by Prader Orchidometer in newborns in a typical African population which could be used as a reference when evaluating neonates with patients with testicular abnormalities.