What is the appropriate management for a newborn male diagnosed with a hydrocele?

The management of a hydrocele in a newborn male typically involves reassurance and observation. Most hydroceles in infants are non-communicating and will resolve on their own as the child grows, often within the first year of life. Since they are usually painless and do not cause any harm to the child, active intervention such as surgery is generally not necessary unless the hydrocele persists beyond the age of 1 or becomes complicated.

Observation is appropriate because the natural history of a hydrocele typically leads to resolution. In contrast, surgical intervention would only be warranted if the hydrocele is still present after a certain age, if it is causing discomfort, or if it is associated with other complications like infection. Immediate drainage is not a standard treatment for hydrocele in newborns, as it might be an unnecessary procedure given the typical self-resolving nature of the condition. Additionally, a pediatric consultation might be necessary in complicated cases, but in the majority of straightforward hydrocele cases, reassurance and monitoring are sufficient.