Reference Values for Stretched Penile Length in Healthy Preterm Egyptian Newborns

Abstract

Background: The examination of the external genital organs is important in neonatal screening. The diagnosis of micropenis early at birth is essential as it could be the only sign of deficiency of pituitary or hypothalamic hormones. Objective: The aim of the present study is to determine the normal values of stretched penile length among preterm Egyptian newborns at different gestational ages. Patients and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on 1000 healthy preterm male. Stretched penile length (SPL) was registered during the first 72 hours of age. Birth weight and length were also recorded. Results: In the gestational age between 32 and 36 weeks, the mean of SPL was 2.43 (SD 0.44) cm, and ranged from 1.5 to 3.8 cm. A chart was developed of penile length means, ±1 SD, ±2 SD, and ±3 SD. Conclusions:The results of the present study on Egyptian preterm neonates provide the first values for SPL (±1 SD, ± 2 SD, and ± 3 SD) at different gestational ages and could be applied on Egyptian preterm.