Prevalence of Cryptorchidism in Iraqi School Children and An Educational Review

Abstract

Background: Isolated cryptorchidism without other abnormalities is the commonest congenital abnormality
of the male genitalia. It is observed in about 1% of full-term infants at the age of one year. Little is known
about the prevalence of the condition in Iraqi school children.
Patients and methods: Screening of Iraqi school children for the presence of undescended testis (testes)
during the year 2015 is described, and an educational review is presented in the discussion. The total male
population in Baghdad during the year 2015 was 3997281 while the number of males under 15-year was
1510053. Results: Screening of Iraqi school children aged 6-14 year for the presence of undescended testis
(testes) were performed during the year 2015 by the Iraqi Ministry of Health. 184852 school children were
examined from 319 schools in Baghdad .3910 children (2.11%) had undescended testis (testes) including 30%
with bilateral undescended testes, 33% with left undescended testis, and 37% with right undescended testis.
Conclusion: Little is known about the prevalence of cryptorchidism in school children in many geographic
regions in the world. However, the prevalence of cryptorchidism in Iraqi school children was estimated
during the hear 2015 at 21/1000, which is much higher than the previously reported in Turkey and Nigeria.