Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hypospadias in a Private Hospital in Northeast Iran

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine prevalence and risk factors of hypospadias in newborn infants of a private hospital in Mashhad city located in northeast Iran. METHODS All live birth deliveries in maternity hospital were enrolled from Oct 2006 to Sep 2008. All hypospadias cases were compared with the next male live births for possible risk factors. This study included only solitary hypospadias cases, those associated with other anomalies were excluded. Both parents were asked to fill out the same written questionnaires seperately. Data was analyzed by using SPSS. FINDINGS During two years 6149 babies were born in our hospital; 25 cases (0.4%, 4 in1000 live births) of hypospadias were identified. Hypospadias occurred in 0.76% of male deliveries. Most cases of hypospadias were born in summer and winter was the season which least number. Positive family history (P=0.04) was regarded as a potential risk factor that was present in 44% of cases in hypospadias group. Iron supplement consumption in first trimester of pregnancy in control group was significantly more than in hypospadias group (P=0.001) and also usage of folic acid in control group before and in first trimester of pregnancy was taken more by mother in control group than in hypospadias group (P=0.049 and P=0.001 respectively). CONCLUSION Prevalence in this population was intermediate (4 in 1000 live births). Summer was the most epidemiology factor for occurring of hypospadias probably due to conception in cold season. Iron and folic acid supplementation may have preventive effect in hypospadias.