Hypospadias is treated with surgery, usually when the child is between six and 18 months old. There seems to be a genetic association, since a baby boy with a family history of hypospadias is slightly more likely to be born with the condition. Most often, hypospadias is noticed at birth however, if the abnormalities are particularly mild, diagnosis may come later in life. Hypospadias is one of the most common birth defects in Victoria, occurring in around one in 300 births.
Urine leaves the kidneys via the ureters and enters the bladder for temporary storage. The human body has two kidneys (one on either side of the middle back) that filter wastes from the blood and produce urine. The urinary system consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.