There is an increase in hypospadias cases in recent years. The Pediatry Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şafak Karaçay from Yeditepe University’s Kozyatağı Hospital states that the reasons for this significant increase are multiple environmental factors and pollution.
Hypospadias, an idiopathic and congenital problem, needs to be treated to maintain the health of children’s reproduction and urinary systems. The urinary meatus is at a lower position than it should be among children with hypospadias. The Pediatry Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şafak Karaçay from the Yeditepe University’s Kozyatağı Hospital states that these children should definitely be treated between 6 months and 1 year old.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS HAVE AN IMPACT
Although the reason behind this disease is unknown, it is assumed that many factors from genetics to the nutrition of the mother during pregnancy have an impact. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şafak Karaçay states that multiple environmental factors have become important in recent years and underlines the fact below:
“Research studies about genetic factors are still being analyzed. However, the genetic transfer is still a debatable issue since a single gen or region has not been detected yet. Multiple environmental factors seem to be dominant in this respect. It can also be seen that hypospadias and similar developmental disorders are increasing in recent years. A research study from Italy, including data of 27 years until 2009, displayed that the frequency rate of hypospadias doubled from 2.4 per cent to 5.2. An increasing number of agricultural poisons called pesticides, a high level of soy consumption, as well as phyto-estrogens in our country and around the world encourage the development of hypospadias and other penile deformations by harming the hormonal balance during pregnancy”.
KEEP CONSUMING NATURAL NUTRITIONS DURING PREGNANCY
Unfortunately, the process and production techniques of the food we consume today indicate that we are getting away from natural nutrition. Following a natural food diet during pregnancy, staying away from processed food and regularly taking vitamins recommended by doctors have an important impact. Besides that, it is also important to avoid taking medication without the control of a doctor.
HYPOSPADIAS COULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY INFERTILITY
Stating the fact that a penis seems to be circumcised or semi- circumcised might be the first sign of hypospadias, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şafak Karaçay continues saying: “The three main indicators of a healthy penis are normal urination, cosmetics appearance as well as sufficient fertility and sexual intercourse functions. Any health problem that might harm at least one of these functions must be treated. Since men have urine tubes and channels to carry sperms, hypospadias might be accompanied by infertility as well in some cases. Therefore, children with hypospadias should be treated to correct the cosmetic, fertility and urinating processes onto the right level. While the urine tube and hole are corrected and transferred to the correct location, a deformation such as a curved or turned penis can also be treated”.
BE CAREFUL DURING THE AFTER-SURGERY PERIOD
Emphasizing the fact that the treatment requires team-work of the health professionals and the parents, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şafak Karaçay explained the points to take into consideration after the surgery as following:
“The most important principle is protecting the baby or the child from infections. Additionally, other issues are avoiding a trauma and enabling urination through a catheter and being aware of hygiene. There will be no additional problems for families who take care of these easy to apply instructions.