ABOUT THE DISEASE

Hypospadias is a congenital (present since birth) defect in boys where the opening of the urethra is not in its usual place i.e the tip of the penis. Urethra is the tube that transfers urine from the bladder to the outside of body. In kids affected by this disorder this opening can occur just below the ridge of the penis, in the middle of the shaft or base of the penis or even on or behind the scrotum.

SYMPTOMS

This affects one in 150-200 newborn male kids and some of the following are commonly observed symptoms associated with this:

• • The penis curves downward (chordee).
• • The foreskin (the skin that covers the head of the penis) is incompletely developed.
• • The child might have to sit down to urinate and there is abnormal spraying of urine.

DIAGNOSIS

- Physical examination

CAUSES

There are no known causes, however it might be a hereditary disease, as it may be passed on from father to sons.

TREATMENT METHODS

Hypospadias is treated with surgery. Urologists usually correct hypospadias when the child is between 6 and 12 months old because it is easier to take care of the surgery site. The goal of surgery is to create a normal urethra and urethral opening. Curvature of the penis needs to be corrected to allow for normal sexual intercourse and fertility. Circumcision should not be done before hypospadias surgery as the foreskin is usually needed during the corrective surgery.

You may also like to learn about:

Stricture urethra
Epispadias
Polycystic kidney
Penis disorders
Testicle undescended
Bladder exstrophy