Hypospadias

Hypospadias is a birth defect in which the opening of the urethra is on the underside of the penis, instead of at the tip. The urethra is a tube which provides a path for the urine to drain from the bladder and exit the body. The exact cause of hypospadias is not unknown. Certain hormones, responsible for stimulating the urethral formation in the womb, malfunction resulting in the opening of the urethra to form in another location. It can occur in up to four boys out of a thousand newborn boys. Risk factors associated with hypospadias include:

• Family history of hypospadias.

• Maternal age of over thirty-five.

• Smoking and drinking alcohol by the mother during pregnancy.

• Exposure to pollutants such as pesticides used on fruits and vegetables​.​

When to seek expert advice

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Hypospadias in your infant son may be detected soon after birth. If your child’s doctor fails to notice it due to less severe hypospadias and you notice any of the above mentioned symptoms in your baby, seek immediate medical consultation from the Department of Paediatrics.