[Psychological characteristics of boys with hypospadias].

Abstract

In a pilot study psychological tests were carried out with 47 male children suffering from various kinds of hypospadias. In comparison with healthy children they showed strong feelings of inferiority and an increased sensibility, proved to be socially less adapted and more difficult to train. Children with mild forms of hypospadias had an effect being, psychologically seen, less striking. More aggravating mental problems were noted with increasingly frequent repetition of operations. Psychologically it has been stated that the most favourable time for first operation is the age of 5-6 years. Children submitted to an operation for the first time at the age of 2-4 years as well as children with a correction of hypospadias carried out at school-age only, proved to be more psychologically strained.