An infantile uterus often occurs when a girl is born, as the uterus is abnormally small, and this condition may sometimes be referred to as a hypoplastic uterus as well. In this article, we will talk about what are the causes of an infantile uterus? What are its symptoms and can it be cured? So continue reading the article with us to know all of that.

What is the infantile uterus?

The infantile uterus occurs from the birth of a woman, and the shape of the uterus is very small from its normal shape, and it may be a congenital disorder, meaning that it is present at birth or acquired due to some health problems or diseases.

Normal uterine size

The uterus is shaped like an inverted pear. The average normal size of the uterus is about 7.5 cm long, about 5 cm wide at the top, and about 2.5 cm thick in adults.

Types of infantile uterus

• Simple infantile uterus: And the shape of the uterus is normal, but it is small in size.
• Elongated infantile uterus: The bottom of the uterus is normal, but the length is more than normal, i.e. the uterus appears elongated.
• Deformed infantile uterus: It is an abnormal uterus. The shape of the uterus is curved, T-shaped or Y-shaped.

Causes of the infantile uterus

The causes of a hypoplastic uterus are:

• The uterus fails to develop fully during the embryonic stage, and the reason behind this abnormal development of the fetus is not yet known.
• A condition known as Mayer-Rokitansky-Koster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome, a disorder in which a girl’s uterus and vagina are absent due to an early halt in the development of the pararenal ducts, among other abnormalities.
• It may be associated with Perrault syndrome, a rare genetic condition that causes different signs and symptoms in affected females. Females with Perrault syndrome have abnormal or missing ovaries (ovarian dysgenesis), even though their external genitalia are normal.
• It may also be associated with Swyer syndrome. Swyer syndrome affects sexual development. Affected females have typical external genitalia. The uterus and fallopian tubes are forming normally, but the gonads (ovaries or testes) are not working; Therefore, affected individuals typically begin HRT during adolescence to induce the development of secondary female sex characteristics such as uterine growth.

Symptoms of the infantile uterus

Symptoms of an infantile uterus may include:

• Not starting menstruation at puberty (primary amenorrhea).
• Tummy ache.
• Small or no vaginal opening.
• infertility.

Diagnosis of an infantile uterus

An infantile uterus is most often diagnosed at puberty, when menstruation begins, rather than before. Because the external genitalia appear normal.

The diagnosis of a hypoplastic uterus includes the following:

Ultrasound and MRI are the best tests. To diagnose uterine hypoplasia and to detect the presence of an infantile uterus.

What is the treatment of infantile uterus?

Treatment generally depends on the cause of uterine hypoplasia and the symptoms associated with it. For example, in the case of Meyer-Rokitansky-Koster-Hauser syndrome, treatment is directed towards the symptoms that appear on the individual.

Infantile uterine enlargement is a non-surgical treatment method. Vaginal dilators are plastic tubes specially designed to help enlarge or shape the vagina. This daily procedure may last for up to six weeks to several months.

In addition to enlarging the uterus, there is hormonal therapy, where the infantile uterus and the lack of menstruation coincide together during adolescence.

It may be used to treat the infantile uterus with stem cells, but there is still a need for more studies and research to find out how to do this safely.

Infantile uterus and ICSI

Some women with MRKH may undergo ICSI. Because they do not have a functional uterus, they cannot have children.

Some women with the syndrome have been able to conceive a child using ICSI, but because Meyer-Rokitansky-Koster-Hauser syndrome seems to have a genetic origin, the risk of passing the disease to children remains a possibility.

Therefore, any decision to become pregnant must be taken after careful consultation with the specialist doctor, to ensure that the children are born healthy.