Every parent wants a perfect baby.  However it’s  uncommon for a baby boy  to have  problems with his testicles, penis and scrotum. These problems do not usually cause long lasting effects when fixed or treated early.

Undescended testicles : This  is the most common urological problem . It is common is premature babies  and can affect both testicles.  In full term babies, undescended testicles drop on their own within 6 months of life. However if this doesnot happen, surgery  may be needed. An undescended testes have an increased risk of cancer.  As a result if it hasn’t descended by the age of 1, it should be surgically corrected.

An imperfect penis : The most common abnormality is a trio of deformities known as hypospadias. It includes a urinary hole in the wrong position,  a bend in the penis, a condition called chordee and an incomplete foreskin. Chordee can also exist alone.

These deformities need to be corrected. Otherwise the boy will not be able to void when standing , intercourse may be uncomfortable or he may not be able to get a woman pregnant. Hypospadias is surgically treated in a single procedure best performed between the ages of 6 and 18 months.Parents are often encouraged not to  circumcise  the baby until surgery has been done as the foreskin  is often used in the repair.

Epispadias — the opposite of hypospadias — is a much rarer condition in which the urinary hole appears on the top side of the penis. In these babies, the hole is surgically relocated to the tip of the penis.

A swollen scrotum : A swollen, fluid -filled scrotum is known as hydroceles. When this condition is present at birth, it usually disappears by the age of 1. In older kids , hydrocele can develop from    trauma to the scrotum, a sexually transmitted disease or a tumor. You should  get an evaluation by the doctor anytime there is fluid in the scrotum.