1. MATERNAL VEGETARIAN DIET IN PREGNANCY, A PREDISPOSITION TO HYPOSPADIAS?
Dr. Soumyodhriti  Ghosh, Prof. Vinita Chaturvedi,
SPM Child Health institute SMS Medical College & associated hospitals. Jaipur .
INTRODUCTION
Hypospadias is a congenital condition whereby opening of the urethra is on the underside of the penis, instead of at the tip. It is a fairly common presentation with a variable prevalence. Both genetic and environmental factors are implicated but controversies continue to exist regarding prevalence, risk factors and ethnicity There has been a recent interest in understanding its relation to the maternal gestational factors. Maternal gestational exposure to various dietary supplements including phytoestrogens thought to be implicated.
RESULTS
Out of 50 mothers examined, only in seven cases
Gestational maternal intake of non vegetarian diet
was noted. Fig. 1 Interestingly, five out of fifty were of
Muslim religion all five had a non vegetarian diet.
No significant differences between the demography, ethnicity, addictions or Contraceptive usage.
Fig. 1
Fig-2
DISCUSSION
The etiology of hypospadias hs always been a center of controversy. Both genetic and environmental causes have been implicated1,2. Studies have proven increased maternal age to be responsible for increased prevalence3. Phytoestrogens with its deleterious effect on the development of male genital system have been implicated4,5.6. We have attempted to supplement this hypothesis by correlating maternal gestational vegetarian diet rich in phytoestrogens with increased prevalence of hypospadias in male babies. However the less number of cases in this study is a limiting factor in correlation of results. Further multicentric metaanalysis and RCT’s are required.
OBJECTIVE
To find out if there is a genuine correlation linking maternal vegetarian diet and incidence of hypospadias in male offspring.
MATERIAL & METHODS
Mothers of 50 consecutive babies of hypospadias attending the Pediatric surgery OPD were allotted self structured questionnaires. Obstetric history and specific dietary patterns and preferences was obtained. The prevalence of hypospadias in mothers having taken a vegetarian diet during her pregnancy was calculated. Study Duration- one year.
CONCLUSION
Diet during gestation may play a role in the etiology of hypospadias. Although this study is limited by less number of cases, it does show the trend of increased incidence of hypospadias amongst vegetarian mothers.
REFERENCES
North K1 et al. A maternal vegetarian diet in pregnancy is associated with hypospadias. The ALSPAC Study Team. Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood. BJU Int Jan;85(1):
Giordano F et al. Maternal diet and the risk of hypospadias and cryptorchidism in the offspring. PaediatrPerinatEpidemiol May;22(3):
Rocheleau CM et al. Pesticides and hypospadias: a meta-analysis.J Pediatr Urol Feb;5(1):17-24.
Chen MJIntrauterine growth restriction and hypospadias: is there a connection? Int J Pediatr Endocrinol. 2014;2014(1):20.
Shih EMet al.Review of genetic and environmental factors leading to hypospadias.Eur J Med Genet Aug;57(8):453-63
Kalfa N .Hypospadias: interactions between environment and genetics.Mol Cell Endocrinol Mar 30;335(2):89-95.