Definition
Hypospadias is a malformation that affects the urethral tube and the foreskin on a male's penis. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. Hypospadias is a disorder in which the male urethral opening is not located at the tip of the penis. The urethral opening can be located anywhere along the urethra. Most commonly with hypospadias, the opening is located along the underside of the penis, near the tip.[1]
The Causes
Hypospadias is a congenital (present at birth) abnormality, which means that the malformation occurs during fetal development, but its exact cause is not known. As the fetus develops, hypospadias occurs when there is incomplete closure of tissue on the undersurface of the penis, known as the urethral folds, which form the urethra.[2]
The Symptoms of Hypospadias
What are the symptoms of hypospadias?
The following are the most common symptoms of hypospadias. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
* abnormal appearance of foreskin and penis on exam
* abnormal direction of urine stream
* the end of the penis may be curved downward
The symptoms of hypospadias may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.[3]
Can hypospadias be prevented?
There is no known way to prevent this type of defect, but some of the problems that can occur later in life can be prevented or lessened if the defect is found early.
Even so, mothers can take steps before and during pregnancy to have a healthy pregnancy. Steps include taking a daily multivitamin with folic acid (400 micrograms), not smoking, and not drinking alcohol during pregnancy.[4]
Picture of Hypospadias
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Notes:
[1] Virginia.edu
[2] Childrenshospital.org
[3] ibid
[4] Cdc.gov
