Birth Defect Known as Hypospadias - Essay Example

When the opening is located in the shallow channel of the penis close to where the shaft meets the head, this form is Coronal hypospadias. When the opening of the urethra occurs anyplace along the underside of the shaft, this is understandably known as the Penile shaft hypospadias. The least frequent type of hypospadias is Perineal hypospadias where the opening of the urethra occurs below the penis’ shaft, most commonly affecting the scrotum. All four types of hypospadias combined are still rare birth defects. Less than one percent of males, one in 250 births, are affected by hypospadias (Retik/Borer, 2002).

The causes of birth defects are yet to be fully understood by the scientific and healthcare communities. It is commonly acknowledged that treating pregnant women with progesterone and other hormones could increase the chance that their son is born with the disorder. If the woman’s body experiences hormonal imbalances or if the levels of hormones in her body fluctuate greatly during the early period of pregnancy, this could cause the testes of the fetus to fail to manufacture sufficient amounts of testosterone. This hormonal imbalance could also cause the inability of the fetus to react to testosterone. Both situations increase the possibility that the fetus will develop a host of genetic disorders including hypospadias.

Symptoms of hypospadias in its mildest forms are not readily apparent, particularly in the case of newborns up to children of school age. Beyond this age, if the disorder is not corrected with surgery, males will often learn of their condition after they complain to a doctor that their urinary stream is consistently uncontrollable, spraying in random directions. In the case of severe hypospadias conditions, males are unable to urinate when standing. Teenage males with hypospadias experience a higher likelihood of their testicles remaining un-descended following puberty. A newborn male could be confused for a girl if they have a severe case of Perineal Hypospadias.

Physically examining the newborn male is the most common method by which hypospadias is diagnosed. If doctors suspect hypospadias, they may use Cystoscopy or X-rays which allows them a better view of the urethra’s development. The only way to remedy hypospadias is through surgery to correct the position of the urethra’s opening. Hypospadias surgery is usually performed during infancy and includes different types of procedures. The urethra may need to be repositioned or placed in its proper position within the penis’ head along with reconstruction of the skin surrounding the urethra’s opening. Use of the foreskin may be necessary during reconstructive surgery. Therefore, the circumcision of infants who have hypospadias should wait until after surgery. The older the male receiving surgery, the more likely they are to experience complications such as infections, bleeding, infection, and constriction of the urethra. Following the procedure, most patients regain the ability to urinate standing up (WebMD, 2005). Read More