Obese boys penile length: is it micropenis or just Buried?

Abstract

Background Obesity in childhood is an escalating public health crisis with profound implications, including potential impacts on penile development. This study aimed to measure penile size in obese children and adolescents to detect the presence of micropenis and buried penis. Methods An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 680 obese boys (BMI >95th percentile) aged 9.4±3.22 years. Stretched penile length (SPL) was measured using a conventional method. Anthropometric measurements, laboratory tests, and penile length categorization (normal, micropenis, buried penis) were performed. Results Sixty percent of participants had normal penile length, while 9.12% were diagnosed with micropenis, and 30.88% had buried penis. SPL positively correlated with age, weight, height, and BMI but negatively with height and BMI Z-scores. No significant correlations were found between SPL and glycated hemoglobin or impaired glucose tolerance diagnosis. Dyslipidemia and impaired glucose metabolism were observed. Conclusions and recommendations A high prevalence of micropenis and buried penis among obese boys underscores the profound impact of childhood obesity on penile development. Early screening and management strategies are crucial to mitigate long-term consequences. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach, involving pediatric endocrinologists, urologists, and psychologists, ensures a holistic treatment addressing both physical and psychological aspects of the condition. Furthermore, individualized treatment plans should be developed, potentially incorporating hormonal therapy, surgical interventions, or a combination of both.