Hydrocele is most commonly found in which of the following populations?

Prepare for the ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner Test. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations to succeed. Ace your exam!

Hydrocele is most commonly found in newborns, primarily due to the physiological process that occurs during fetal development. In male infants, the testicles descend from the abdomen into the scrotum during the last few months of pregnancy. Sometimes, fluid can be trapped in the sac around the testicle, leading to the formation of a hydrocele. This condition is usually benign and often resolves spontaneously within the first year of life as the fluid gradually absorbs.

In contrast, although hydroceles can occur in adolescents and adult men, they are less frequent in these populations compared to newborns. In adults, hydroceles are often associated with underlying conditions such as injury or inflammation of the testicles or epididymis, making them a secondary occurrence rather than a primary one. Women do not typically develop hydroceles since this condition relates specifically to the male reproductive anatomy. Thus, the prevalence of hydrocele in newborns establishes them as the most commonly affected population.

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