Hypospadias: A contemporary epidemiologic assessment

Objectives. To determine whether the incidence of hypospadias is increasing and whether racial differences among patients are significant, we evaluate d the current incidence of hypospadias and patient race in an equal-access healthcare system. Methods. We undertook a retrospective review of discharge records between 1 990 and 1998 from 15 military treatment facilities to determine the total n umber of male live births and the number of male live births with hypospadi as reported by race (categorized as white, black, Asian, Native American, a nd unknown). Results. Among 99,210 male live births, 709 cases of hypospadias were ident ified (0.7%). Of the total male live births, 68,444 were white, 18,984 were black, 1761 were Asian, 175 were Native American, and 9846 were unknown, w ith an incidence of hypospadias of 0.8%, 0.6%, 0.5%, 0.6%, and 0.6%, respec tively. Racial differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.2). Conclusions. The 0.7% incidence of hypospadias detected is near the upper l imit of what has been historically reported. No significant difference betw een races was found, but the incidence of hypospadias in minorities is high er than previously reported. UROLOGY 57: 788-790, 2001. (C) 2001, Elsevier Science Inc.