1 Division of Clinical Laboratories, Department of Medicine, Children's Hospital Medical Center
2 Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
An increase in the incidence of hernia, hydrocele, and undescended testis was observed in males with cystic fibrosis, and to a lesser degree in male siblings and fathers. This increased incidence may be associated with the gene for cystic fibrosis and may be considered a reflection of altered embryogenesis of the wolffian derived structures. The finding of an absent vas deferens at hernia repair or orchiopexy in a child or young adult should suggest the possibility of cystic fibrosis.