Characteristics of the male genitalia in the newborn: penis.

During a 2-month period all male newborns were examined prospectively to determine the normal characteristics of the penis. Of the 274 neonates examined 3 were excluded because of hypospadias with chordee. The spontaneous direction of the shaft was in the midline in 76.8 per cent, to the left side in 15.5 per cent and to the right side in 7.7 per cent. Partial absence of the prepuce was observed in 10 per cent of the patients, while an unretractable foreskin was seen in 23.2 per cent. The mean meatal aperture was 2.6 plus or minus 0.8 mm. Deviation of the median raphe was present in 10 per cent of the newborns and was associated with deviation of the meatus in 2.2 per cent. Mild torsion of the penis was noted in 1.5 per cent, while isolated torsion of 90 degrees was seen in 0.7 per cent of the patients. Early diagnosis and followup of these newborns might be helpful in determining further treatment.