BIRTH DEFECTS

Hypospadias
Hypospadias is an abnormality in the development of the urethra, the tube that carries urine, in the penis. Normally the urethra extends the full length of the penis and its opening is at the glans or tip of the penis. With hypospadias, however, the opening can be anywhere along a line running down the underside of the penis called the urethral groove. In the majority of the cases, first degree hypospadias, the opening is on the glans and these cases are the least severe. In the more severe cases the opening is on the shaft (second degree) or perineum (third degree), and can often involve other complications. Hypospadias is almost always surgically corrected in infancy.

Click here to return to the birth defects list.