Human Reproduction, Vol. 17, No. 4, 1112-1115,
April 2002
© 2002 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
A high hypospadias rate in The Netherlands
1 Departments of Andrology, 2 Public Health, 3 Paediatric Urology 4 Paediatric Endocrinology, Erasmus Medical Centre, P.O.Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam 5 Department of Child Health Care, The Rotterdam Homecare Foundation, P.O.Box 21994, 3001 AZ Rotterdam, The Netherlands
BACKGROUND: Reports on increasing hypospadias trends are based on birth defect registries, which are prone to inaccuracy. We assessed the prevalence of hypospadias precisely, by prospective examination of all newborns in Rotterdam over a 2-year period. METHODS: A total of 7292 consecutive male births were examined for the presence of hypospadias, classified by severity. RESULTS: The frequency of hypospadias in newborn boys was 0.73% (53/7292). The rate among live births was 38 per 10 000, which is 6 times the previously reported rate for the Southwestern Netherlands (6.2) (P < 0.0001). This registry excludes glandular hypospadias. Without glandular cases, our rate is 26 per 10 000, which is still 4-fold higher (P < 0.0001). The ratio of minor to major hypospadias was 0.3. In 79% of cases, surgery was indicated. CONCLUSIONS: We found a 4-fold higher than expected hypospadias rate, which may be explained by case ascertainment differences. The proportion of major cases was higher than generally assumed. This study provides evidence for substantial geographical differences. Explanations for temporal and geographical differences need to be explored. To monitor hypospadias rates and trends accurately, complete case ascertainment, including standardized classification of severity, is warranted.
Key words: birth defect registries/congenital abnormality/epidemiology/hypospadias/prevalence
6 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, PO Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands. E-mail: pierik{at}mgz.fgg.eur.nl
![]()
CiteULike
Connotea
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
N. Nassar, C. Bower, and A. Barker Increasing prevalence of hypospadias in Western Australia, 1980-2000 Arch. Dis. Child., July 1, 2007; 92(7): 580 - 584. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Fedder, A. Gabrielsen, P. Humaidan, K. Erb, E. Ernst, and A. Loft Malformation rate and sex ratio in 412 children conceived with epididymal or testicular sperm Hum. Reprod., April 1, 2007; 22(4): 1080 - 1085. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. M Main, J. Toppari, and N. E Skakkebaek Gonadal development and reproductive hormones in infant boys Eur. J. Endocrinol., November 1, 2006; 155(suppl_1): S51 - S57. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M.M. Brouwers, W.F.J. Feitz, L.A.J. Roelofs, L.A.L.M. Kiemeney, R.P.E. de Gier, and N. Roeleveld Hypospadias: a transgenerational effect of diethylstilbestrol? Hum. Reprod., March 1, 2006; 21(3): 666 - 669. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. A. Rey, E. Codner, G. Iniguez, P. Bedecarras, R. Trigo, C. Okuma, S. Gottlieb, I. Bergada, S. M. Campo, and F. G. Cassorla Low Risk of Impaired Testicular Sertoli and Leydig Cell Functions in Boys with Isolated Hypospadias J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2005; 90(11): 6035 - 6040. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. A. Boisen, M. Chellakooty, I. M. Schmidt, C. M. Kai, I. N. Damgaard, A.-M. Suomi, J. Toppari, N. E. Skakkebaek, and K. M. Main Hypospadias in a Cohort of 1072 Danish Newborn Boys: Prevalence and Relationship to Placental Weight, Anthropometrical Measurements at Birth, and Reproductive Hormone Levels at Three Months of Age J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2005; 90(7): 4041 - 4046. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Petiot, C. L. Perriton, C. Dickson, and M. J. Cohn Development of the mammalian urethra is controlled by Fgfr2-IIIb Development, May 15, 2005; 132(10): 2441 - 2450. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. S Fisher Environmental anti-androgens and male reproductive health: focus on phthalates and testicular dysgenesis syndrome Reproduction, March 1, 2004; 127(3): 305 - 315. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||





