Background and purpose: Anogenital distance is an accepted indicator for endogenous or
environmental effects of androgens on development of reproductive system in fetus and newborns. This
study was done to determine the relationship between penile length and anogenital distance in Iranian
newborns.
Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study stretched penile length (PL) and anogenital
distance (AGD) were measured in 427 healthy male newborn infants born in a Teaching Hospital (in
north of Iran). Other variables included the age of mothers, and weight, height, and head circumference of
neonates. Normal distribution of variables was measured by Shapiro-Wilk and data was analyzed using
Pearson Correlation tests
Results: The mean of PL was 32.1±3.5 mm and the mean of AGD was 24.5±2.5mm. A weak
correlation was observed between PL and AGD (r=0.097, p=0.046).
Conclusion: The correlation between penile length and AGD showed that, AGD could be also
used in assessing the genital system and even as a common indicator to assess the genital system in both
sexes
Keywords: penile length, anogenital, distance,term newborn, mal
