Stretched penile length and total serum testosterone in term male neonates.

INTRODUCTION: the reference values of stretched penile length vary with different ethnic group. There is paucity of data on the reference range of total serum testosterone in neonates especially in Africa. This study therefore was to determine the normal stretched penile length, total serum testosterone levels in term male newborns and to correlate them with anthropometric parameters. METHODS: this was a prospective cross-sectional study. One hundred and twenty-four consecutive healthy term male neonates were recruited in the first 72 hours of postnatal life. The stretched penile length (SPL) was measured with a rigid metric ruler. Weight, length and occipitofrontal circumference were also measured. Total serum testosterone level was determined using Enzyme Linked Immunoassay. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Windows version 20. RESULTS: a total of 124 term male neonates were recruited. The postnatal age of recruited neonates was one to 70 hours with a mean of 22.8 ± 17.6 hours and the mean of estimated gestation age was 38.5 ± 1.3 weeks. The range of stretched penile length was from 2.1 to 3.9 cm with a mean of 3.2 ± 0.4 cm and SPL less than 2.2 cm was considered as micropenis. The mean total serum testosterone level was 357.4 ± 241.7 ng/dl. The SPL had a positive correlation with the birth weight, length and total serum testosterone. The total serum testosterone and birth length were predictors of stretched penile length. CONCLUSION: among the studied population the mean stretched penile length was 3.2 cm and mean total serum testosterone was 357.4 ng/dL.

Estimations of total serum testosterone levels in Nigerian term neonates at birth using anogenital distance measurements.

Background In genital anomalies, measurement of total testosterone is required but is expensive and technically difficult to assay. Therefore, the measurement of anogenital distance, which is non-invasive and cheap, could be used to estimate total serum testosterone in neonates. The objective if this study is to determine the relationship between total serum testosterone and anogenital distance and estimate total serum testosterone levels in term neonates using measurements of anogenital distance. Methods This was a prospective cross-sectional study. Consecutive healthy term neonates were recruited in the first 72 h of postnatal life. Anogenital distance was measured with a digital vernier calliper. Total serum testosterone was determined using enzyme linked immunoassay. Results A total of 240 term neonates comprising 124 (51.7%) males and 116 (48.3%) females were studied. The overall mean anogenital distance was 19.7 (7.7) mm and 26.5 (3.7) mm for males which was more than twice 12.4 (2.3) mm for females (t = 35.3, p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI], 13-14). The overall mean total serum testosterone level was 267.1 (204.8) ng/dL; and 357.4 (241.7) ng/dL in males which was more than twice of 170.6 (80.7) ng/dL for females (t = 7.9, p < 0.001, 95% CI, 144-221). There was positive correlation between total serum testosterone and anogenital distance (r = 0.425, p < 0.001). The correlation was stronger in males than in females. The linear regression equation was as follows: total serum testosterone (ng/dL) = 44.3 + 11.3*AGD (mm) with 95% CI, 8-14. Conclusions The known value of anogenital distance could be used to estimate total serum testosterone levels in term neonates.

Penile dimensions of newborns at obio cottage hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Determination of normal reference values for penile dimension may prevent overdiagnosis of micropenis and hence reduce unnecessary investigation and parental anxiety. Only a few data exist on the subject in Nigeria. OBJECTIVES: The study set out to document the stretched penile length (SPL) and penile diameter (PD) of male newborns in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: Four hundred and eleven consecutively delivered male newborns were recruited for this study. SPL and PD were measured using the standard methods with a digital metal caliper. The mean values were determined and compared with other anthropometric parameters. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation) SPL from this study was 3.17 ± 0.5 cm and mean PD was 1.07 ± 0.17 cm. There was no significant correlation of the SPL with any of the studied anthropometric parameters, but the PD showed weak positive correlation with estimated gestational age (r = 0.104,P= 0.036), birth weight (r = 0.169,P= 0.001), birth length (r = 0.139,P= 0.006), and head circumference (r = 0.111,P= 0.025). The PD increased significantly across the different weight categories. The third and tenth percentiles for the SPL were 2.3 cm and 2.5 cm. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the mean SPL and PD of newborns in Port Harcourt are 3.17 cm and 1.07 cm, respectively. A PL of <2.3 cm should be taken as representing micropenis.

Evaluating the validity of a bedside method of detecting hypoglycemia in children.

BACKGROUND: Hypoglycemia in the pediatric age group is a common finding associated with a wide variety of disorders. It often presents urgent diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. In the tropics where facilities for laboratory evaluation are inadequate and inefficient, there is need to evaluate alternative methods of diagnosis. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to validate the glucometer method of assessing hypoglycemia in pediatric patients. METHODOLOGY: Four hundred fifty-three consecutively admitted patients were recruited into the study. After a detailed history and thorough physical examination, 2 mL of blood was obtained from each patient. A drop was put on the test strip, and plasma glucose level read off a glucometer. The remainder was sent to the laboratory for comparative plasma glucose determination by the glucose oxidase method. Hypoglycemia was defined as plasma glucose less than 2.5 mmol/L (<45 mg/dL). RESULTS: Out of the 453 studied, only 392 (86.5%) had complete results and were included in the analysis. Thirty-eight (9.7%) were hypoglycemic by the glucometer method, but only 25 (6.4%) of them were hypoglycemic by the laboratory method. The glucometer was found to be highly sensitive and specific, and its results compares favorably with the laboratory values. The glucometer gave a predictive index of a positive test as 63.12% and of a negative test as 99.72%. It however leads to overdiagnosis of hypoglycemia. CONCLUSIONS: The glucometer was found to be highly sensitive and specific, and its result correlates significantly well with the laboratory method. The glucometer method for blood sugar determination in emergency cases is highly recommended in children.