Inflammation of the penis. In infancy the
condition is usually of the type called
ammoniacal balanitis. In such cases the inflammation is due to irritation caused by
ammonia produced by the
action of bacteria on the urine. Usually it can be prevented by
promptly changing wet diapers.
When balanitis occurs in older children and adults, it may be
related to sugar in the urine and it may therefore be a
warning sign of diabetes mellitus. Other possible causes in adults are an
underlying syphilitic sore (chancre) or cancer of the penis.