Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Pediatrics

Introduction and objectives: Examination of the external genital organs is an important part of the routine physical examination of the newborn infant. Early recognition of micropenis or clitoromegaly is important as they may be the only obvious manifestation of pituitary or hypothalamic hormonal deficiencies at birth. Studies suggest that differences in penile or clitoral anthropometry may exist between different populations. Therefore, reference values for genital organs dimensions should be available and well known to medical personnel. Methods: A total of 500 healthy term newborn boys and 500 healthy term newborn girls were enrolled in the study. Stretched penile length and clitoral length were measured during the first 7 days of postnatal life. Birth weight, length and head circumference were measured and recorded. Results: The mean (±SD) stretched penile length is 3.16±0.41 cm. The mean (±SD) clitoral length is 0.51±0.13. There is no significant correlation between penile or clitoral length and the body weight, length or head circumference. Conclusion: Our study provides reference values for normal penile length and clitoral length in Egyptian newborns. Based on our study, penile length of less than 2.13 cm is considered micropenis and clitoral length of more than 0.83 cm is considered clitoromegaly

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