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Severe hypospadias, a deformity in which the urethra opens on the underside of the penis, is a birth defect that can have a devastating effect. In the most serious cases, boys can't urinate normally. Men, who have this condition and have not been treated, may not be able to function sexually.
The rate in which this defect occurs has doubled according to several studies conducted in the United States and Europe over the past 30 years. In a study in metropolitan Atlanta from 1968 to 1993, the rate increased from 18 per 10,000 births to 40 per 10,000 births. Researchers speculate that the increase may have something to do with exposure to environmental toxins. Some have suggested the increase also may be due to increased interest in detecting and reporting the condition. However, a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report suggests since hypospadias not only are becoming more common, but severe cases are increasing, other explanations should be sought.
Fortunately, most of the 1 in 100 boys born with this condition have mild cases that can be repaired relatively easily with a single outpatient operation between the ages of 6 months and 18 months. Our experienced pediatric urology specialists also are skilled at reconstructing severe deformities.
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