Pediatrics
Undescended Testicles (Cryptorchidism)
Our expert surgeons provide a procedure to move undescended testicles into the scrotum, helping to protect your child’s future fertility and health.
Medically reviewed by Yvonne Chan, M.D. on April 19, 2026.
Compassionate Urologic Care for Your Child
At UC Davis, our pediatric urology experts are skilled in surgery to treat undescended testicles (orchiopexy). We know you may have concerns about your baby getting surgery. We make sure you understand the procedure and feel comfortable entrusting your baby’s care to us.
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What Is an Undescended Testicle?
When a male baby forms in the womb, their two testicles develop in their belly. These reproductive organs make sperm and testosterone, a hormone that is important for future puberty and growth. Both testicles (testes) should move into a sac called the scrotum shortly before a baby is born.
A child has an undescended testicle (cryptorchidism) when the testicle does not reach the scrotum before birth. The testicle can still be in the baby’s abdomen or in the groin. About 40% of the time, an undescended testicle naturally shifts into the scrotum within the first 6 months of life. Your baby will need surgery if the condition is still present at 6 months of age.
An undescended testicle doesn’t hurt. But it can cause problems now and later in life. Your child has a higher risk of:
Symptoms of Undescended Testicle
An undescended testicle is noticeable at birth. Your baby’s health care provider will see and feel that one or both testicles aren’t in the scrotum. It does not cause your baby any pain.
Common Symptoms
Signs of cryptorchidism include:
- Empty scrotum (both testes are missing)
- Half-empty scrotum (one testicle is missing)
Causes and Risk Factors of Undescended Testicle
An undescended testicle is a congenital abnormality (birth defect) that happens while your baby is in the womb. Medical experts are still exploring why some babies are born with this condition.
Family History
A baby is more likely to have this condition if their father, brother or other male family members had it.
Low Birth Weight
Newborns who weigh less than 5 pounds 4 ounces at birth are more at risk. Almost all newborns with severely low birth weights below 3 pounds 4 ounces have undescended testicles.
Preterm Birth
The condition is more common in preterm babies born before the 37th week of pregnancy. These babies also tend to have low birth weights.
Diagnosis and Testing for Undescended Testicles
Health care providers check for signs of undescended testicles soon after a baby’s birth and during well-baby exams. They may be able to feel an undescended testicle in your baby’s lower belly. In rare cases, your baby may get certain tests.
Imaging Tests
Undescended testicles are diagnosed by exam. Very rarely, your baby may need diagnostic and medical imaging tests, such as an ultrasound, to help with planning for surgery.
Genetic Testing
Your child’s provider may recommend genetic testing if your baby has other conditions like hypospadias (urethral opening in the wrong location). A genetic test can check for conditions that affect how your baby’s genitals form.
Undescended Testicle Treatments
Orchiopexy is the name of the surgery for undescended testicles. Surgery may take place if the condition persists in a 6-month-old baby who was born full term or when a preterm baby reaches 6 months corrected gestational age. Your baby receives general anesthesia to sleep through the outpatient procedure, which may take up to two hours. Your baby goes home the same day.
Orchiopexy
If the testicle is in the groin, a surgeon makes a small cut in your baby’s groin area between their lower belly and thigh to reach the undescended testicle. They make a small cut in the scrotum and create a pouch. They move the testicle into the scrotal pouch and use stitches to keep it in place.
Laparoscopic Orchiopexy
If the surgeon can’t feel an undescended testicle in your baby’s groin, the testicle may be in the belly. The surgeon will use a tiny camera device to view inside your baby’s abdomen and find it. The surgeon inserts the laparoscope, which has a light and camera on the end, through a small cut near your baby’s belly button. Orchiopexy surgery can then take place. If the testicle is in the belly, two surgeries may be needed to bring the testicle down.
About
1 in 25Baby boys have an undescended testicle
Pre-term babies have a
1 in 3Risk of having an undescended testicle
Source: Urology Care Foundation: Undescended Testicles (Cryptorchidism); National Library of Medicine: Cryptorchidism
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