What should I do if a male baby has scrotal fluid accumulation?

After the baby is born, some parents will find that there seems to be something abnormal in the child's reproductive system, and the left and right sides of the child's scrotum are in different conditions. This is generally caused by scrotal fluid accumulation. So, what exactly is considered a baby's scrotal fluid accumulation? Will this situation have a big impact on the baby? How should it be treated? The editor will analyze it for you here.

What is scrotal effusion? In the early stages of embryonic development, the testicles reside in the retroperitoneal space in the waist. After the fetus is born, the testicles descend through the inguinal canal and enter the scrotum. At this time, the two layers of peritoneum attached to the testicles also sneak into the scrotum. The two layers of peritoneum entering the scrotum are called the tunica vaginalis. The space between the two layers of the tunica vaginalis is called the tunica vaginalis sac. Under normal circumstances, there is a small amount of fluid in the sac vaginalis, which reduces the friction when the testicles move in the scrotum.

Scrotal effusion is common in children clinically. It can be checked by B-ultrasound in a regular hospital, or ultrasound examination can also be used for diagnosis.

Mothers can also observe the size of the lump of fluid accumulation in the scrotum. If it continues to increase, it means that the tunica vaginalis on the side of the child's fluid accumulation has not closed, and the fluid in the abdominal cavity is accumulated in the scrotum. If the amount of fluid accumulation no longer increases and is only 1-2 ml, it means that the thecatheter has been closed and no treatment is needed temporarily, waiting for it to be absorbed by itself. This is because there is a difference in the channel connecting the testicular vaginal tunica in the scrotum and the abdominal cavity. It should be repaired surgically in time and will not affect the growth and development of the body and sexual organs.

Pediatric expert Cui Yutao said that many baby boys will have water accumulation in the scrotum on one side, or sometimes on both sides, after birth - hydrocele. You can shine a flashlight on the scrotum and you can see the even liquid. As long as there is no obvious increase in the volume of the scrotum during crying, it can basically be determined to be non-communicating hydrocele. As the baby grows, the fluid in the non-communicating hydrocele will gradually be absorbed and disappear completely around one year old. Wait for natural absorption, no special care or treatment is necessary. If the child has not recovered after 2 years old, surgical treatment should be performed promptly.

Expert opinion

Pediatric expert Cui Yutao believes that when a baby's scrotum is swollen, hydrocele or hernia is often considered. Use a flashlight to illuminate the swollen scrotum. If the brightness is strong and uniform, it should be hydrocele. Then observe whether the swelling of the scrotum increases when the child cries to determine whether it is a communicating hydrocele. Communicability means communication with the abdominal cavity. Hernia is a condition in which the small intestine in the abdominal cavity moves into the scrotum when the abdominal pressure increases, such as when crying. If the parents cannot make the judgment, please ask the surgeon to make the judgment.

I believe that after the above description, everyone should have an understanding of the situation of scrotal fluid accumulation in male babies. In fact, if parents find this situation, they don’t need to feel sad, nor do they need to treat it immediately after birth. The best time for treatment should be around one year old. At this time, the child already has a certain resistance and will recover better.