Research
Prevalence of hypospadias in Italy according to severity, gestational age and birthweight: an epidemiological study
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* Corresponding author: Paolo Ghirri pghirri@med.unipi.it
- † Equal contributors
1 Department of Paediatrics, Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – "S. Chiara" Hospital, University of Pisa, Italy
2 Department of Paediatrics, Section of Adolescent Medicine Unit – "S. Chiara" Hospital, University of Pisa, Italy
3 Division of Pediatrics, "G. Pasquinucci" Paediatric Hospital, Massa
4 Division of Pediatrics, – "F. Lotti" Hospital of Pontedera, Italy
5 Division of Pediatrics – University of Bologna, Italy
6 Division of Pediatrics, Hospital of Livorno, Italy
7 Division of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine – "S. Anna" Hospital, University of Torino, Italy
8 NICU – "Umberto I" Hospital, Nocera Inferiore, Italy
9 Division of Pediatrics – IRCCS "S. Matteo" Hospital, University of Pavia, Italy
10 Division of Pediatrics – University of Palermo, Italy
11 Division of Pediatrics, Bassa Val di Cecina Hospital
12 Division of Neonatology – University of Parma, Italy
13 Division of Pediatrics, "Campo di Marte" Hospital, Lucca, Italy
14 Division of Pediatrics, Versilia Hospital, Italy
15 NICU and Division of Pediatrics – University "G. D'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
Italian Journal of Pediatrics 2009, 35:18 doi:10.1186/1824-7288-35-18
Published: 27 June 2009Abstract
Background
Hypospadias is a congenital displacement of the urethral meatus in male newborns, being either an isolated defect at birth or a sign of sexual development disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence rate of hypospadias in different Districts of Italy, in order to make a comparison with other countries all over the world.
Methods
We reviewed all the newborns file records (years 2001–2004) in 15 Italian Hospitals.
Results
We found an overall hypospadias prevalence rate of 3.066 ± 0.99 per 1000 live births (82.48% mild hypospadias, 17.52% moderate-severe). In newborns Small for Gestational Age (birthweight < 10th percentile) of any gestational age the prevalence rate of hypospadias was 6.25 per 1000 live births. Performing multivariate logistic regression analysis for different degrees of hypospadias according to severity, being born SGA remained the only risk factor for moderate-severe hypospadias (p = 0.00898) but not for mild forms (p > 0.1).
Conclusion
In our sample the prevalence of hypospadias results as high as reported in previous European and American studies (3–4 per 1000 live births). Pathogenesis of isolated hypospadias is multifactorial (genetic, endocrine and environmental factors): however, the prevalence rate of hypospadias is higher in infants born small for gestational age than in newborns with normal birth weight.