Hypospadias
Hypospadias is a congenital malformation of the penis. It occurs in approximately 1 in 250 live male births and is one of the most commonly encountered conditions in pediatric urology. In normal penile development, the urethral opening (urinary meatus) should be located at the tip of the penis. However, in hypospadias, the opening is positioned further down the penile shaft.
The exact cause of hypospadias remains unknown, but it is thought to be influenced by environmental factors classified as endocrine disruptors, which may expose the fetus to excessive estrogen. The severity of the condition is determined by the distance of the urethral opening from its normal location. The most common forms are located near the glans penis, the tip of the penis.
Hypospadias can lead to problems such as abnormal urine flow (curved stream) during childhood and difficulties with fertility or fatherhood later in life.
Treatment
The treatment for hypospadias is surgical. Ideally, surgical correction is performed after the child is 1 year old, depending on the severity of the condition. Repair may require one or more surgical sessions to achieve optimal results.
