Hypospadias is a condition in which the opening from which a child urinates is not located at the tip of the penis, but on the underside of the glans or the shaft. What is hypospadias?Hypospadias is a condition that affects the penis. There are three common signs of hypospadias:The location of the opening through which a child urinates (urethral meatus) is located at a lower than normal positionA bend to the penis, typically a downward curve of the penis or forward tilt of the head of the penisAn incompletely formed foreskinDespite these findings, children with hypospadias are typically able to empty their bladder at birth without any difficulty and do not experience any pain related to their hypospadias. Some may have a higher chance of developing a hernia or having a testicle which did not fully descend into the scrotum.Hypospadias is typically diagnosed at birth, but for some it can be noted later in life.Each year, the Division of Urology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) evaluates and treats patients with hypospadias at more than 1,700 clinic visits. This includes patients who have had prior surgeries and those who have never undergone a procedure.Treatment will depend on the degree of your child’s hypospadias, which will be determined upon evaluation by a pediatric urologist. At CHOP, the evaluation for hypospadias will include an exam to identify the location of the urethral opening, the degree of curvature, and the appearance of the shaft skin and foreskin.Some children will have a minor hypospadias and may not need surgery. For others, we will discuss potential concerns such as deflection of the urinary stream and curvature of the penis with erections, and consider these factors when determining the best approach to correcting their hypospadias. Signs and symptoms of hypospadiasLocation of urethral openingThe most common sign of hypospadias is when the location of the opening through which a child urinates (the urethral meatus) is not present at