Τίτλος:
Seasonal trends in the prevalence of hypospadias: Aetiological implications
Γλώσσες Τεκμηρίου:
Αγγλικά
Περίληψη:
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. © 2017, Spandidos Publications. All rights reserved.
Συγγραφείς:
Mamoulakis, C.
Avgenakis, G.
Gkatzoudi, C.
Duijker, G.
Zisis, I.E.
Heretis, I.
Antypas, S.
Sofikitis, N.
Spandidos, D.A.
Tsatsakis, A.M.
Tzonou, A.
Περιοδικό:
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
Εκδότης:
Spandidos Publications
Λέξεις-κλειδιά:
androgen; chorionic gonadotropin; rain, air temperature; Article; congenital malformation; controlled study; cryptorchism; environmental factor; human; hypospadias; major clinical study; male; meteorology; newborn; oscillation; phenotype; pregnancy; seasonal variation; spectroscopy
DOI:
10.3892/etm.2017.4323
