Relationship between maternal age and anogenital distance in patients with primary hypospadias: A case-control study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the correlation between maternal age and anogenital distance (AGD) in patients with hypospadias. Patients, subjects and methods A total of 82 participants were divided into two groups, Group 1 included 52 male children with different types of primary hypospadias and Group 2 included 30 normal controls. In both groups, child age and weight, maternal age, and AGD were recorded. In Group 1, the Glans-Urethral Meatus-Shaft score was used to categorise the patients into mild (score 3–6), moderate (score 7–9) and severe (score 10–12) hypospadias. Results Both groups were similar for maternal age, child age and child weight (P = 0.308, P = 0.283 and P = 0.664, respectively). The mean (SD) AGD was 4.64 (1.23) and 5.33 (1.01) cm for groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.011). Patients in Group 1 were subdivided regarding severity of hypospadias into mild (40.4%), moderate (38.5%) and severe (21.1%). There was a significant relationship between older maternal age and short AGD in both groups (P < 0.001 for Group 1 and P = 0.001 for Group 2). In Group 1, there was a significant correlation between both short AGD and older maternal age, and severe hypospadias (both P < 0.001). Maternal age of ≥34 years significantly predicted a severe hypospadias score (10–12) (sensitivity 100% and specificity 68.3%). Conclusion Older maternal age is associated with a shorter AGD in patients with hypospadias and controls. Maternal age of ≥34 years is significantly correlated with patients with severe hypospadias.