The Incidence of Neonatal Cryptorchidism in Sfax, Tunisia

Cryptorchidism is a common finding in boys, and the majority of cases have no discernible etiology. As the region of Sfax is considered a polluted area in Tunisia (1), we decided to conduct a prospective study to assess the incidence of cryptorchidism in this area (Sfax-Tunisia). From June to December 2013, at the Maternity Department of the Hedi Chaker teaching Hospital of Sfax (Tunisia), all full term born boys ≥37 weeks of amenorrhea were examined by pediatric surgeon. Excluding criteria was prematurity. Information on child (birth weight, term) and parents (life style, geography origin, maternal exposure to pesticide) was recorded using medical chart. A follow up was done at 3-6 and 12 months by the same pediatric surgeon. A total of 24 of 1780 boys were born with cryptorchidism so the neonatal incidence was 1.3%. Although the study period was too short, we observed a seasonal variation in the incidence of cryptorchidism. There was a peak in September–October (Fig. 1) as has been reported by Berkowitz (2). Fifty percent of the mothers of cryptorchid children live in a rural setting. The maternal exposure to pesticides during pregnancy was observed in 20% of cases.