Penile size in healthy Nigerian newborns : country-based reference values and international comparisons

• AimTo establish normal reference values for penile size in Nigerian newborn boys and to compare those values with standards from other populations. MethodsA total number of 261 healthy newborn boys delivered at gestational ages of 28weeks or more were enrolled in the study. Penile lengths and widths were measured within 72h of birth. ResultsThe mean (SD) penile length in the 261 Nigerian males studied was 3.4 +/- 0.48cm, while the mean mid-shaft diameter was 1.2 +/- 0.14cm. Compared with data from other populations, Nigerian newborn boys had similar penile sizes to those reported for US Caucasian boys (mean 3.4cm), but significantly greater penile sizes than those reported for boys from China and Hong Kong (mean 3.0 and 3.1cm, respectively; both p<0.001). There was a slight, but significant, difference in size between Nigerian and Malaysian boys, with Malaysian boys having greater penile sizes (mean 3.5cm; p<0.05). ConclusionA Nigerian newborn with a penile length of <2.39cm can be considered to have a micropenis.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Pediatrik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Pediatrics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Gestational age

Micropenis

Nigeria

Penile size

Reference values

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)