Clinical characteristics and timing of intervention in 195 neonatal simple ovarian cysts: a 20-year single-center retrospective analysis.

Purpose: To characterize neonatal simple ovarian cysts (SOCs) and determine the optimal timing for intervention based on real-world clinical outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective analysis included 163 neonates (195 SOCs) surgically managed at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2004 to 2024. SOCs were grouped by presence or absence of adverse outcomes and further stratified by diameter (< 30 mm, 30-40 mm, ≥ 40 mm). Clinical variables were analyzed, and logistic regression and ROC analysis were performed to identify predictive factors.

Results: Among 195 SOCs, 105 (53.8%) had adverse outcomes including torsion, necrosis, autoamputation, or hemorrhage. Cysts in this group had significantly larger diameters (median 46.0 mm vs. 35.0 mm, P < 0.001) and longer diagnosis-to-intervention intervals (median 1.50 vs. 0.68 months, P < 0.001). Cysts ≥ 30 mm were strongly associated with adverse outcomes (OR = 17.1, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed maximum cyst diameter and delayed intervention as independent risk factors. ROC analysis showed good predictive value for diameter (AUC = 0.720) and moderate value for diagnosis-to-intervention interval (AUC = 0.637).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that, in neonatal SOCs, a maximum diameter ≥ 30 mm is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes, and longer diagnosis-to-intervention intervals may also be linked to higher risk. For neonates with SOCs-particularly those measuring ≥ 30 mm-early assessment and timely minimally invasive intervention may be considered when clinically appropriate.