Undescended testicles can cause future troubles

Have surgery done sooner rather than later for optimum results

Q: Our neighbour’s son just underwent a procedure for an undescended testicle. He’s only 10 months old. That seems like a lot to put him through. Was that really necessary? A : Your neighbour is smart to have this done — and to do it now. True, 99 per cent of the time, testicles drop into place while a fetus is still in the womb or within a year following delivery. But the American Academy of Pediatrics says that the surgery to assist an undescended testicle (called orchidopexy) is best done when an infant is six to 12 months old. Waiting longer increases the risk of developmental problems. After puberty, an undescended testicle probably won’t produce sperm, resulting in impaired fertility, and may have to be removed. It also slightly increases the risk of developing testicular cancer.

The procedure commonly is done laparoscopically, so it’s not too invasive. It starts with a small incision in the scrotum. The surgeon then locates the testicle and the spermatic cord attached to it. One or both are untangled or disengaged from surrounding tissue. Then, at the cord’s full length, the surgeon secures the testicle in its proper position in the scrotum. An undescended testicle is often associated with a hernia, which is then also repaired. Job done.

Unfortunately, these corrective procedures often are completely neglected. Only 18 per cent of boys in the United States who need the surgery have it before they turn one year old; 43 per cent have it by age two.

Many guys have to deal with it as a tween, teen or young man, and may not escape the complications.

So folks, know this: When your pediatrician recommends this procedure, she or he has your son’s best interests in mind. Take advantage of the opportunity to help the child grow into a healthy and fertile young man. Q: I know a number of families with autistic kids and was wondering about a possible link to pesticides sprayed on some of the crops around here. I heard there was a connection between pesticides and autism. Is that true? A : Research indicates that there’s a strong connection. A study based on the California Pesticide Use Report looked at 970 women from 1997 to 2008 and found that pregnant women who had addresses within a mile of an agricultural pesticide application had a 60 per cent increased risk of having a child with an autism spectrum disorder. Those are some pretty tough stats.

The most common pesticides are organophosphates, and they do a good job of killing pests like the ones that devastate crops — but they’re also hazardous for humans. They were first developed in the 1940s as biological warfare agents that target the nervous and respiratory system. Pyrethroids are also used.

Pregnant women or those who are planning to get pregnant should keep a safe distance. Even though commonly used pesticides have been associated with neurological developmental problems in children, our agricultural industry is reliant on them, and they aren’t going away any time soon. And it’s not just agricultural pesticides that are potentially hazardous. Pregnant women should stay away from commercial pesticides used on lawns and gardens as well.

The most common home and garden pesticides in the U.S. contain pyrethrins and pyrethrum (pyrethroids used in agri-business are an amped-up, synthetic version of these). In addition to their potential for triggering developmental problems in a fetus, they can cause nausea, headaches and difficulty breathing.

If you are pregnant and you do come into contact with pesticides, wash off your hands, clothes and then the rest of you. If you have any symptoms, such as nausea, headache, wheezing or rash, call 911. But better yet, protect yourself, your family and your friends from these chemicals by keeping them out of your home and as far down the road as you can. Mehmet Oz, M. D. is host of The Dr. Oz Show, and Mike Roizen, M. D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen at youdocsdaily@sharecare.com. For Postmedia News