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Discoblog
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NCBI ROFL: Should the definition of micropenis vary according to ethnicity?

“OBJECTIVE: We determined whether the existing reference values for the diagnosis of micropenis are appropriate for optimal care of neonates in a multiethnic environment like Vancouver. METHODS: The stretched penile length and width were measured in 105 full-term newborn males of Caucasian (n = 40), Chinese (n = 40) and East-Indian origin (n = 25). RESULTS: Mean length -2.5 SD was used for the definition of micropenis and was 2.6, 2.5 and 2.3 cm for Caucasian, East-Indian and Chinese babies, respectively (p < 0.05). This is close to the widely accepted recommendation that a penile length of 2.4- 2.5 cm be considered as the lowest limit for the definition of micropenis. CONCLUSION: Mean penile length and diameter are slightly but significantly smaller in newborns of Chinese origin compared to newborns of Caucasian and East-Indian origins."

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November 27th, 2009 4:00 PM by ncbi rofl in NCBI ROFL, penis friday | 2 comments | RSS feed | Trackback >

  • http://www.mymicropenis.com micropenis

    In my opinion the results were so close together that it would be foulish to vary the definition of a micropenis according to ethnicity. Whats the point anyway? If your penis has a size of 2.7 cm it is considered normal and when it is 2.6 cm it is a micropenis?

  • M Cufley

    People will always want definitions and measurements, but the subject is too complex for a simple statistic and however well intentioned we seek to refine the parameters, we need to examine each case on its own merits. e.g. weight and body mass index.





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      Discoblog is DISCOVER's compendium of quirky, funny, and surprising science news from the edge of the known universe. It's written by Veronique Greenwood and Valerie Ross. Email tips and suggestions to vgreenwood [at] discovermagazine [dot] com.

      Discoblog also includes the daily feature NCBI ROFL, in which two prone-to-distraction grad students post real scientific articles with funny subjects. Email your tips to ncbirofl [at] gmail.com. Follow the ROFL feed here.

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