1. Analysis of shape and retractability of the prepuce in 603 Japanese boys.
- Author
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Kayaba H, Tamura H, Kitajima S, Fujiwara Y, Kato T, and Kato T
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Child, Child, Preschool, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Japan, Male, Penis growth & development, Penis physiology
- Abstract
Purpose: We evaluated preputial development in Japanese boys., Materials and Methods: Preputial retractability and formation of a tight ring were evaluated in 603 Japanese boys 0 to 15 years old., Results: The incidence of a completely retractable prepuce gradually increased from 0% at age 6 months to 62.9% by 11 to 15 years, while that of a tight ring decreased with age from 84.3 to 8.6%. Nine boys had balanoposthitis but none had a symptomatic urinary tract infection., Conclusions: Incomplete separation of the prepuce is common and normal in neonates and infants, and preputial separation progresses until adolescence. Awareness of these findings will eliminate unnecessary circumcision in boys.
- Published
- 1996