Definition
Hypospadias is a problem with how the penis develops before birth. The meatus is the opening that urine passes through. It should be on the tip of the penis. When the opening develops on the underside of the penis it is called hypospadias.
Male Reproductive System |
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Risk Factors
Things that increase the chance of a baby having hypospadias are:
- Family history of hypospadias
- Mother being older or having in vitro fertilization
- Mother is exposed to harmful items in environment during pregnancy
- Fetus has growth problems during the pregnancy
Symptoms
The abnormal location of opening will be visible. Other symptoms may include:
- Curve of the penis—called chordee
- Abnormal spray when passing urine
- Foreskin only covers part of the head of the penis
Treatment
Mild hypospadias may not need treatment. Some can cause problems passing urine. A surgery may then be done. The goals of surgery are to:
- Reconstruct the opening of the urethra
- Straighten a curved penis
Skin from the foreskin or inside of the mouth may be used to rebuild the area.
RESOURCES
Healthy Children—American Academy of Pediatrics https://www.healthychildren.org
Urology Care Foundation http://www.urologyhealth.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Urological Association http://www.cua.org
Health Canada https://www.canada.ca
References
Hypospadias. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hypospadias . Accessed September 2, 2020.
Hypospadias: a birth defect of the penis. Healthy Children—Academy of Pediatrics website. Available at: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/genitourinary-tract/Pages/hypospadias-a-birth-defect-of-the-penis.aspx. Accessed September 2, 2020.
Marrocco G, Grammatico P, Vallasciani S, et al. Environmental, parental and gestational factors that influence the occurrence of hypospadias in male patients. J Pediatr Urol. 2015 Feb;11(1):12-99
Tekgul S, Dogan HS, Kocvara R, et al; European Society for Paediatric Urology and European Association of Urology (ESPU/EAU). Guidelines on Paediatric Urology. EAU 2017 Mar.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrienne Carmack, MD
- Review Date: 09/2020
- Update Date: 09/03/2020