It’s a rare parent who shows no alarm when the subject of birth defects comes up. And few would argue that this is an improper response. After all, nothing is as important to parents as their children’s health. But thankfully as one learns about some birth defects it will become plain that they’re not as serious as one might have initially thought. That’s why anyone concerned about hypospadias should consider five important facts.
1. It’s not as uncommon as one might assume
People usually assume that birth defects are incredibly rare. But in this particular case that’s far from the truth. In fact, one out of every two hundred boys are born with the condition. One might wonder how something can be this common yet also so seldom spoken of. And the main reason is that it’s fairly easily treated during infancy. Very few people born with the condition are even aware of that fact.
2. The surgery is painless
The upside of hypospadias being so common is that it’s also practiced quite often. This has led to the surgery becoming quite streamlined over the years. Today one can usually assume that the surgery will be quite painless thanks to the anestesia.
3. Surgery is fairly quick
The surgery itself doesn’t even take very long. The overall time spend with the surgery will be impacted by whether a follow up is necessitated. But in general one can expect the surgery to take no more than one or two hours. There are some minor preparation related issues to consider though. The most significant of these relates to food and drink.
4. The food restrictions are fairly mild
Restrictions on food and drink before surgery are probably the biggest issue that parents and children will face. But even this is usually fairly mild. In general, infants under 12 months can still receive formula up to six hours before arrival for the surgery. Breastfed babies may nurse for up to four hours before arrival.
Older children have some additional restrictions to keep in mind. It’s generally best to avoid anything other than clear liquids when the surgery is getting closer. Up to two hours before arrival time than this clear liquid diet becomes mandatory. This means that they’ll have to avoid substances like milk. But juices which one can still see through, such as apple juice, are still fine.
It’s generally a good idea to bring along comfort items such as games, books or blankets. This will help serve as a distraction if they start to want food. This can also help to decrease overall worries that the infant or child might feel.
5. There’s seldom any visible after effect
The surgery seldom leaves any noticeable remnant behind. The most common lingering issue is a very small scar from the incision. But even this is quite miniscule and will usually fade over time. Once again, it’s important to keep in mind that most people born with the condition aren’t even aware of it. The surgery is so successful and minor in retrospect that it often just doesn’t come up as a child is growing up.
Finally, it’s important to remember that the condition can be bothersome without treatment. It’s not an especially serious condition for most people, even when left untreated. But even small matters on a physical level can become larger ones for children as they grow up. The potential concerns when left untreated should be compared with how simple the surgery actually is. This means that one should always try to have it treated early on in a child’s life.
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