Hypospadias Specialists in Telangana
Hypospadias is a birth defect in male infants in which the opening of the urethra is located on the underside of the penis rather than at the tip, resulting fro…
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What is Hypospadias?
Hypospadias is a birth defect in male infants in which the opening of the urethra is located on the underside of the penis rather than at the tip, resulting from incomplete development of the urethral tube during early fetal growth. It is one of the more common congenital abnormalities of the male genital tract and varies in severity depending on how far from the normal position the urethral opening is located. While it does not typically cause immediate health problems in infancy, uncorrected hypospadias can lead to difficulties with urination direction and, later in life, sexual function, making surgical correction in early childhood the standard approach.
Mild
Uncommon — affects approximately 1 in 200 to 1 in 300 male live births
No
Causes of Hypospadias
Results from incomplete fusion of the urethral folds during fetal development in the first trimester, with the exact cause often unclear. Risk factors include a family history of hypospadias, certain fertility treatments used by the mother, maternal exposure to specific hormones or environmental chemicals during pregnancy, and being born prematurely or with low birth weight. Genetic and hormonal factors affecting the development of the male reproductive tract are believed to play a central role.
Symptoms of Hypospadias
The urethral opening located on the underside rather than the tip of the penis, downward curving of the penis during erection, an abnormal spraying pattern of the urine stream, a hooded appearance of the foreskin due to incomplete development, in more severe cases, ambiguous-appearing genitalia requiring further evaluation
Treatment & Types of Hypospadias in Telangana
Surgical correction, typically performed between six and eighteen months of age, repositions the urethral opening to the tip of the penis and straightens any curvature, usually achieving normal urinary and later sexual function. It is important that circumcision be delayed until after the surgical evaluation, since the foreskin tissue is often needed for the repair. Most children who undergo surgery in infancy go on to have normal urinary function and appearance with no long-term complications.
Hypospadias is classified by the location of the abnormal urethral opening, ranging from distal, near the tip of the penis, the mildest and most common form, to mid-shaft and proximal, closer to the base of the penis or scrotum, with more proximal forms generally involving more significant curvature and requiring more complex surgical repair.
Pediatric Surgery Specialists in Telangana (0)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is hypospadias hereditary?
A family history of hypospadias does raise the risk in male relatives, suggesting a genetic contribution, though the exact cause in an individual case is often unclear.
At what age is hypospadias usually repaired?
Surgery is typically performed between six and eighteen months of age, a timing chosen to balance tissue development with minimizing the child's memory of the procedure.
Can circumcision be done before hypospadias surgery?
No, circumcision should be delayed until after surgical evaluation and repair, since the foreskin tissue is often needed by the surgeon to reconstruct the urethra.
Will my son have normal urination and sexual function after surgery?
The large majority of boys who have surgery in infancy go on to have normal urinary function and appearance, with sexual function typically unaffected in adulthood.
Does hypospadias mean there's a bigger underlying problem?
In most cases it's an isolated finding, but more severe or proximal hypospadias, especially with undescended testes, occasionally warrants additional evaluation to rule out a broader hormonal or genetic condition.