Who gets hypospadias?
Roughly 1 out of every 150 to 250 boys has hypospadias. Those who have been exposed to estrogens or endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are at higher risk. These same boys can sometimes have inguinal hernias, undescended testicles, or hydroceles.
Determining the type of hypospadias
The type of hypospadias depends on the location of the opening: an opening on the head of the penis is called glanular hypospadias; on the ridge, it’s called coronal; below the ridge, subcoronal; on the shaft, midpenile; and between the penis and the scrotum, penoscrotal. Sometimes, the opening can be located near the anus, which is called perianal hypospadias.
Newborn circumcision should be avoided in boys with visible hypospadias. Sometimes, the condition can occur with a full foreskin and is only discovered at the time of circumcision. A child with hypospadias should be evaluated by a pediatrician to determine the appropriate treatment.