Standard penile size for normal full term newborns in the Saudi population

OBJECTIVE: To establish norms for penile size for normal full term Saudi newborns.

METHODS: The length between the pubic ramus and the tip of the glans was measured in 379 normal full term Saudi newborns. An unmarked spatula was used where its edge was placed against the pubic ramus and the shaft of the penis was stretched to the point of increased resistance. The penile circumference was measured using a non- stretchable plastic tube placed around the midshaft of the uncircumcised penis. The study was carried out in King Khalid University Hospital and King Fahad National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the period September 1998 to February 1999.

RESULTS: The mean penile length was 3.55 cm (standard deviation 0.57) and the mean penile midshaft circumference was 3.96 cm (standard deviation 0.44 cm).

CONCLUSION: The mean penile length of 3.55 cm in this study was similar to previously reported international data. The cut-off lower limit (-2.5 standard deviation) is calculated to be 2.13 cm. The cut-off upper limit (+2.5 standard deviation) is 4.98 cm. The mean penile circumference was 3.96 cm (standard deviation 0.44).