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Research & Innovation
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For the latest cutting-edge research, innovative collaborations and remarkable discoveries in child health, read stories from across all our areas of study in Q: Advances and Answers in Pediatric Health.
Urology
Hypospadias
We see more, treat more and heal more kids than any other hospital in the region.
What is hypospadias?
Hypospadias is a congenital (present at birth) condition in males. It affects the urethra (tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis) and the foreskin of the penis.
With hypospadias, the urethral opening (where urine comes out) is on the underside of the penis instead of on the tip. The different types of hypospadias are named according to where on the penis the urethral opening is located. A child with hypospadias may also have a bend to his penis, called chordee or a curvature. The lower portion of the foreskin may also be missing. Children with hypospadias should not be circumcised at birth until they see a pediatric urologist.
What causes hypospadias?
Hypospadias happens when the penis does not form correctly before birth. This condition happens in about 1 out of every 250 births and can run in families.
Researchers have identified some rare genetic causes of hypospadias. New theories also suggest that chemicals in the environment may impact the way the penis develops. But in most children, the exact cause of hypospadias is unknown.
What are the signs and symptoms of hypospadias?
Signs and symptoms include:
- Unusual appearance of the foreskin and penis (may not be symmetrical or appear disfigured)
- Abnormal direction of urine stream (may come from underside of penis, or wherever the urethra exits the penis)
- A downward curve to the penis
How do we diagnose hypospadias?
Hypospadias is easily seen, so it is usually diagnosed just after birth during your child’s first physical exam. Having hypospadias is not an emergency, but your child needs to see a pediatric urologist for treatment soon after diagnosis.
How is hypospadias treated?
Some children require surgery to straighten the penis and reposition the urethra. Doctors usually perform this surgery when babies are between 3 and 12 months old. Some children may need a second repair, especially if they have a more severe form of hypospadias.
Your child’s surgeon performs this procedure under general anesthesia with local anesthetic, to reduce pain as much as possible. The surgery usually takes less than two hours and most patients go home the same day. Your child’s surgeon will:
- Make sure the penis is straight
- Move the urethra so that it comes out at the tip of the penis
- Cosmetically improve the appearance of the penis and, if the family wishes, perform a circumcision
Many children have a catheter (tube) inserted to drain the bladder while the penis heals. The catheter is usually removed in about a week.
Why choose us for treatment of hypospadias?
The Urology Department at Children’s Hospital Colorado has an experienced team of pediatric urologists who treat many children with hypospadias. In addition, all of our anesthesiologists, nurses and child life specialists are specifically trained in pediatrics. They know how to make your child comfortable and deliver the most advanced care.
We work in a dedicated operating room specifically designed for children. Our reoperation rates are well under the national average, which means we need to perform fewer second hypospadias operations than most hospitals in the nation. Learn more about our successful outcomes for children with hypospadias.
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Get to know our pediatric experts.
Brian Miller, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Daniel Wood, MD
Urology - Pediatric
Bridget Gresback, FNP-C
ACNP-BC
Nina Mikkilineni, MD
Urology - Pediatric