Prevalence of micropenis among boys from different regions of Bulgaria.
OBJECTIVE
Micropenis is a normally formed penis whose length is more than 2.5 SD below the mean penile length for age. However, the definition of this disorder depends on penile length norms.


METHODS
Penile length, circumference and anthropometric values of 310 boys under one year of age from five regions in Bulgaria were investigated.


RESULTS
The mean penile length for all boys was 3.55 +/- 0.46 cm, thus micropenis could be defined as a penile length below 2.40 cm. However, regional differences were observed in penile length and circumference. According to regional mean values and the appropriate definition of micropenis, only two of the children had micropenis.


CONCLUSIONS
In a prospective study of Bulgarian boys we established wide regional variations of normal penile length. Consequently, the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to micropenis should consider the mono-ethnic inter-regional differences.
Kumanov
Philip
P
Clinical Center ofEndocrinology, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria. phkumanov@lycos.com
Robeva
Ralitsa
R
Tomova
Analia
A
D002031:Bulgaria; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010413:Penis / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population; D014505:Urban Population