Health

What are normal penis characteristics in a child?

Understanding the normal characteristics of a child’s penis can provide parents with peace of mind. This article discusses what’s normal and what’s not by douglasboyd
Estimated reading time: 2 min 46 sec
What are normal penis characteristics in a child? Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels

As parents, it’s important to know what is typical and what’s not when it comes to our children’s health. One of the things that parent might notice is their child’s genital, specifically the penis.

And it’s understandable that parents would have a concern about what is normal and what’s not.

What is a normal penis?

It’s important to understand that a child’s penis goes through several developmental stages from birth to puberty. So, what appears abnormal at birth may completely resolve on its own without any intervention.

The newborn penis

Immediately after birth, the penis may appear swollen. This is due to the accumulation of fluid in the surrounding tissues. It’s important to know that this swelling will go down within a few days.

Furthermore, a newborn’s penis may be uncircumcised or circumcised. Circumcision is when the foreskin, which is the skin covering the head of the penis, is removed. It’s a personal and cultural choice whether to circumcise a child or not.

Toddler and preschool penis

As a child grows, the penis also goes through some changes. The foreskin should be retracting completely by the age of five years old. If it does not, it’s important to bring this to the attention of your pediatrician.

At this stage the penis size will also increase.

Puberty penis

At the onset of puberty, males start to experience growth in the genitals. The penis will extend in length, and furthermore, the head or glans will often become more pronounced and large.

Penis abnormalities in children

It’s crucial to know that penile abnormalities in children are rare. However, it’s still important to be aware of certain conditions. This can include:.

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  1. Hypospadias

    This is when the urethra opening is not at the tip of the penis. Instead, the opening is located anywhere along the underside of the penis. This can occur in severe cases where surgery may be needed. However, most mild cases will resolve on their own.

  2. Epispadias

    This is when the urethral opening is located on the top of the penis or just in front of the head. Epispadias, like hypospadias, requires surgery in severe cases. But more mild cases resolve on their own.

  3. Phimosis and Paraphimosis

    Phimosis occurs when the foreskin is too tight and cannot be pulled back or retracted, whereas paraphimosis is where the foreskin is retracted and cannot be pushed back down. In both cases, medical intervention may be needed.

    But, in mild cases, simple treatments like applying a cream or stretching exercises may help.

  4. Penis size

    The average penis size in children ranges widely. However, studies in several countries indicate that the average size at age ten ranges from 1.6 inches to 2.1 inches in length and 1.3 inches to 1.4 inches in circumference.

When to see the pediatrician?

If you notice any abnormalities or concerns in your child’s penis development, it’s important to seek medical advice.

Furthermore, the child may require medical attention if they experience any pain or difficulty urinating or if there is a discharge from the penis.

Conclusion

Understanding the normal characteristics of a child’s penis can provide parents with peace of mind. While every child is different and develops at their own pace, it’s important to know when to seek medical advice.

Disclaimer: This article serves as general information and should not be considered medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance. Individual circumstances may vary.

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