Penile length, digit length, and anogenital distance according to birth weight in newborn male infants

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Anogential distance (AGD) and the 24 digit length ratio appear to provide a reliable guide to fetal androgen exposure. We intended to investigate the current status of penile size and the relationship between penile length and AGD or digit length according to birth weight in Korean newborn infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2013 and February 2014, among a total of 78 newborn male infants, 55 infants were prospectively included in this study. Newborn male infants with a gestational age of 38 to 42 weeks and birth weight>2.5 kg were assigned to the NW group (n=24) and those with a gestational age<38 weeks and birth weight<2.5 kg were assigned to the LW group (n=31). Penile size and other variables were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Stretched penile length of the NW group was 3.3+/-0.2 cm, which did not differ significantly from that reported in 1987. All parameters including height, weight, penile length, testicular size, AGD, and digit length were significantly lower in the LW group than in the NW group. However, there were no significant differences in AGD ratio or 24 digit length ratio between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The penile length of newborn infants has not changed over the last quarter century in Korea. With normal penile appearance, the AGD ratio and 24 digit length ratio are consistent irrespective of birth weight, whereas AGD, digit length, and penile length are significantly smaller in newborns with low birth weight.