The Estimated Prevalence of Hypospadias in Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hypospadias is one of the most common congenital anomalies in the world. Recently, increases in the prevalence of hypospadias have been reported in various countries including Japan. In this study, we examined whether the prevalence of hypospadias in Hokkaido, Japan, increased or not, using standardized diagnostic criteria. We also investigated the degree of its severity. METHODS: We calculated prevalence of hypospadias using hospital records of hypospadias repair in Hokkaido. The prevalence from 1985 through 1997 by dividing the number of patients obtained from hospital records by the number of births. RESULTS: The average prevalence of hypospadias in Hokkaido was 3.9 per 10,000 births, and did not significantly changed (p=0.7). The average proportions of distal, proximal and chordee alone were 56.7%, 39.6% and 3.7%, respectively. The decrease in the proportion of the proximal type was statistically significant (p=0.05) for the entire time period, whereas the proportion of the distal type did not have a significant upward trend for the observed 13 years (p=0.1). CONCLUSION: No significant changes in the prevalence of hypospadias existed in Hokkaido.

Time trends and geographic variations in the prevalence of hypospadias in China

“…In northern England, the birth prevalence increased at a rate of 0.05 per 1000 male live births per year between 1993 and 2000 (Abdullah et al 2007a). However, reports from Scotland for 1988 to 1997 (Ahmed et al, 2004), New York for 1992-2005(Fisch et al, 2009), California for 1989to 1997(Carmichael et al, 2003, Washington for 1987 to 2002 (Porter et al, 2005), and Hokkaido, Japan for 1985 to 1997 (Kurahashi et al, 2004) did not indicate any growth trends in prevalence rates.…”

“…Currently, the time trends of hypospadias prevalence in other countries worldwide are not consistent. Australia (Nassar et al, 2007), Denmark (Lund et al, 2009), and the United Kingdom (Abdullah et al, 2007a) have reported increasing trends in hypospadias prevalence, whereas Japan (Kurahashi et al, 2004), Scotland (Ahmed et al, 2004), and the U.S. states of New York (Fisch et al, 2009), Washington (Porter et al, 2005), and California (Carmichael et al, 2003) have reported no significant increases. In addition, regional differences in hypospadias prevalences have been reported; for example, a spatial clustering of hypospadias prevalences was found in northern England (Abdullah et al, 2007a).…”

Small for Gestational Age: Short Stature and Beyond

“…Hypospadias is a common congenital malformation that is readily recognized at birth. Epidemiological studies conducted worldwide report a prevalence rate within the range of 0.4 -0.8 per 1000 births (303)(304)(305)(306). Denmark has a particularly high birth prevalence of 10 per 1000 births, which increased later to a level of 46 per 1000 births when additional mild cases were found after the foreskin could be retracted (307).…”

Expression Analysis of DGKK during External Genitalia Formation

“…[1][2][3][4] The etiology of hypospadias is likely a combination of genetic and environmental factors [5,6] , but precise gene candidates have been elusive.…”