HYDROCELES IDENTIFIED PRENATALLY - COMMON PHYSIOLOGICAL PHENOMENON

Though the reported frequency of infant hydrocele has varied, the freq uency of hydrocele in the fetus has not been studied. Our purpose was to determine the frequency of fetal hydrocele in the third trimester a nd subsequent outcome. Of the 123 fetuses studied, 19 fetuses had hydr oceles. Of these, 14 babies were normal at follow-up, one baby had a p ersistent hydrocele, and four babies were lost to follow-up. Our study suggests that hydrocele is a relatively common finding in the third t rimester in utero. Moreover, it suggests that parents can be reassured that, in the absence of other abnormalities, a hydrocele is usually a physiologic finding which resolves spontaneously.