Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2020 Aug;204(2):345-352.
doi: 10.1097/JU.0000000000000810. Epub 2020 Feb 24.

Proximal Hypospadias-Isolated Genital Condition or Marker of More?

Affiliations

Proximal Hypospadias-Isolated Genital Condition or Marker of More?

Emilie K Johnson et al. J Urol. 2020 Aug.

Abstract

Purpose: The prevalence of endocrine/genetic anomalies in boys with proximal hypospadias is unknown. We describe an endocrine/genetic evaluation for boys with proximal hypospadias to determine who may have a difference/disorder of sex development and/or benefit from additional testing.

Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed boys with hypospadias seen at our hospital between January 2013 and October 2018. Those with proximal (penoscrotal, scrotal, perineal) hypospadias who presented before age 6 months and underwent endocrine/genetic testing were included. Demographics, test results, testicular examination at presentation, comorbidities and diagnoses were abstracted.

Results: A total of 1,789 boys with hypospadias were identified. Of 131 boys with proximal hypospadias all 60 who underwent endocrine/genetic evaluation were included. Most of these patients had bilateral palpable testes (52, 86%) that were fully descended (41, 68%). Associated anatomical anomalies were found in 53% of patients. All boys underwent endocrine testing, which was completely typical for a male infant in most (41, 68%). Common genetic tests included karyotyping (100%), microarray (38%) and multigene panel (13%). Genetic anomalies were found in 17 boys (28%), including 7 of 41 (17%) with bilateral descended testes and 10 of 19 (53%) with 1 or more undescended testes (p=0.01). Six of 8 boys with at least 1 nonpalpable testis had a genetic anomaly vs 11 of 52 with bilateral palpable testes (p=0.005). Differences/disorders of sex development were found in 9 patients (15%).

Conclusions: Of 60 boys with proximal hypospadias 53% had nongenital anomalies, 28% had genetic anomalies and 15% had a difference/disorder of sex development. Although endocrine testing was clinically useful, genetic testing was most diagnostically revealing. Endocrine/genetic evaluation should be considered for boys with proximal hypospadias.

Keywords: disorders of sex development; genetic testing; hypospadias.

PubMed Disclaimer

Comment in

  • Genes and Proximal Hypospadias.
    Merguerian PA, Fernandez N. Merguerian PA, et al. J Urol. 2020 Aug;204(2):208-209. doi: 10.1097/JU.0000000000001143. Epub 2020 May 18. J Urol. 2020. PMID: 32421386 No abstract available.
  • Editorial Comment.
    Syed JS, Arlen AM. Syed JS, et al. J Urol. 2020 Aug;204(2):351. doi: 10.1097/JU.0000000000000810.01. Epub 2020 May 20. J Urol. 2020. PMID: 32432508 No abstract available.
  • Editorial Comment.
    Wu HY. Wu HY. J Urol. 2020 Aug;204(2):352. doi: 10.1097/JU.0000000000000810.02. Epub 2020 May 20. J Urol. 2020. PMID: 32432509 No abstract available.

Substances