Hypospadias (hye-peh-SPAY-dee-iss) is when the urethra — the tube that drains pee (urine) from the bladder to outside the body — opens in a different place instead of at the tip of the penis. The opening may be on the underside or at the base of the penis.
A boy with hypospadias has one or more of these signs:
Whether hypospadias will cause problems depends on where the urethra opens. For example, an opening:
Chordee (KOR-dee) may or may not cause problems, depending on the bend:
Doctors don't know exactly what causes hypospadias. Sometimes it runs in families. Kids with certain genetic conditions are more likely to have hypospadias. Babies born prematurely also are more likely to have hypospadias.
Usually the baby's doctor notices hypospadias during the first check-up after delivery. Sometimes it is noticed during a well-baby check. Other times, a parent notices it when their baby's pee sprays from a different place than usual.
Most of the time, doctors do surgery to fix hypospadias. Some mild cases might not need surgery.
Depending on where the urethra opens and whether the child has chordee, a pediatric urologist (a surgeon who specializes in urinary issues in kids) will:
Parents may need to wait to circumcise (remove the foreskin of the penis) their child until after the hypospadias is fixed. Surgeons often use the foreskin to repair the hypospadias.
Talk to a pediatric urologist as you decide whether to circumcise your child. It may be important to leave the foreskin in place to use later to repair the hypospadias.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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