Undescended testes are associated with reduced fertility, increased risk of testicular germ-cell tumors, and psychological problems when fully-grown. Undescended testes are also more susceptible to testicular torsion (and subsequent infarction) and inguinal hernias. Without intervention, an undescended testicle will usually descend during the first year of life, but to reduce these risks, undescended testes can be brought into the scrotum in infancy by a surgical procedure called an orchiopexy.Although cryptorchidism nearly always refers to congenital absence or maldescent, a testis observed in the scrotum in early infancy can occasionally "reascend" (move back up) into the inguinal canal. A testis that can readily move or be moved between the scrotum and canal is referred to as retractile. Cryptorchidism, hypospadias, testicular cancer, and poor semen quality make up the syndrome known as testicular dysgenesis syndrome. Signs and symptoms
Infertility
Many men who were born with undescended testes have reduced fertility, even after orchiopexy in infancy. The reduction with unilateral cryptorchidism is subtle, with a reported infertility rate of about 10%, compared with about 6% reported by the same study for the general population of adult men. The fertility reduction after orchiopexy for bilateral cryptorchidism is more marked, about 38%, or six times that of the general population. The basis for the universal recommendation for early surgery is research showing degeneration of spermatogenic tissue and reduced spermatogonia counts after the second year of life in undescended testes. The degree to which this is prevented or improved by early orchiopexy is still uncertain.
Long-term use of topical steroids can lead to secondary infection with fungus or bacteria (see tinea incognito), skin atrophy, telangiectasia (prominent blood vessels), skin bruising and fragility.The use of the finger tip unit may be helpful in guiding how much topical steroid is required to cover different areas of the body. Adverse effects
Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) suppression
Cushings syndrome
Diabetes mellitus
Osteoporosis
Topical steroid addiction
Allergic contact dermatitis (see steroid allergy)
Steroid atrophy
Perioral dermatitis: This is a rash that occurs around the mouth and the eye region that has been associated with topical steroids. Ocular effects: Topical steroid drops are frequently used after eye surgery but can also raise intraocular pressure (IOP) and increase the risk of glaucoma, cataract, retinopathy as well as systemic adverse effects. Tachyphylaxis: The acute development of tolerance to the action of a drug after repeated doses. Significant tachyphylaxis can occur by day 4 of therapy. Recovery usually occurs after 3 to 4 days rest. This has led to therapies such as 3 days on, 4 days off; or one week on therapy, and one week off therapy. Delivery-related adverse effects
Other local adverse effects: These include facial hypertrichosis, folliculitis, miliaria, genital ulcers, and granuloma gluteale infantum. Long-term use has resulted in Norwegian scabies, Kaposis sarcoma, and other unusual dermatosis. Safety in pregnancy
A 2015 meta-analysis of observational studies of pregnancies found no association between mothers use of topical steroids and type of delivery, APGAR score, birth defects, or prematurity. Classification systems
Seven-class System
The U.S. utilizes 7 classes, which are classified by their ability to constrict capillaries and cause skin blanching.