Seasonal trends in the prevalence of hypospadias: Aetiological implications

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the seasonality of hypospadias in Greece in an attempt to elucidate the aetiology. All boys born between 1991-1998, who underwent hypospadias repair at 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, Athens (n=542) were analysed. All Greek live-born males during the same period (population at risk; m=421,175) served as the controls. Seasonality by month of birth was evaluated with specific statistical tools. Meteorological parameters were also analysed. All tests yielded significant results, suggesting a simple harmonic prevalence pattern (highest/lowest: autumn, peak in October/spring, trough in April). Therefore, the first trimester of hypospadiac gestations coincides more frequently with winter. Meteorological parameters varied seasonally (maximal sunlight; air temperature in summer/minimal in winter, maximal rainfall in winter/minimal in summer) and were strongly associated pairwise. Hypospadiac birth prevalence follows a simple harmonic seasonal pattern and is associated with that of cryptorchidism in Greece. The coincidence of the first or third trimester of a potentially genetically influenced gestation with winter could lead to the phenotypic expression of hypospadias or cryptorchidism, respectively. The potential role of a cyclic-varied androgen-production stimulator, such as human chorionic gonadotrophin may be speculated. The seasonality of a common environmental factor acting directly/indirectly may contribute to these patterns, and possibly to the common pathogenesis of these congenital malformations.