Hypospadias is the most common congenital malformation of the male external genitalia. After the heart and circulatory system, it is the second most common developmental disorder in males. It is due to a midline fusion defect of the male urethra, which results in a misplaced urethral meatus. Hypospadias may be distal, medial and proximal. It may occur as an isolated defect or it may develop together with other genital disorders (retention of testes in one or both sides, microphallus, bifid scrotum) or with malformation of other organs. In some cases syndromic forms may also occur. Genetic factors play a crucial role in the occurrence of early developmental defect, but endocrine and environmental factors may also be important in the aetiology of hypospadias. It may be associated with various sex and autosomal chromosomal abnormalities. Monogenic and chromosomal causes of hypospadias accounts for about in 30% of all cases, while genetic factors remain unknown in 70% of cases. The authors summarize the development of the male external genitalia, the prevalence and possible causes of hypospadias. They propose that better understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease may contribute to the prevention and decreased prevalence of the disease.

This study aimed to investigate the association of the anthropometric, clinical variables and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) with diabetes-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in youths with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and to find the predictors of HRQoL and blood glucose control. A total of 239 youths with diabetes (124 boys and 115 girls) were recruited from diabetes-based summer camps. HRQoL assessment was carried out with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ 3.0 Diabetes Module (Information Resources Centre, Mapi Research Trust, France); VO2max was evaluated by conducting the 20-m shuttle run test. Higher VO2max and the insulin pump therapy were significant predictors of the HRQoL in the multiple regression analysis; other clinical and anthropometric variables had no effect. The better blood glucose control was explained only by the higher VO 2max . The good cardiorespiratory fitness (expressed by VO 2max ) has clinical and QoL benefits for paediatric patients with T1DM.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the general health-related quality of life (HRQoL), the metabolic control (HbA 1c ), the anthropometric measurement, and the cardiorespiratory fitness (expressed by VO 2max ) in youths with type 1 diabetes treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) to those receiving multiple daily injections (MDI). We looked for factors influencing the HRQoL and metabolic control. Methods: A total of 239 patients treated with CSII (51 girls and 53 boys) or MDI (64 girls and 71 boys) between ages 8 and 18 years were assessed with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Generic Core Scales, and Diabetes Module. VO2max was evaluated using the 20-meter shuttle run test. Results: CSII group had significantly better HRQoL according to both child self-report and parent proxy-report. Youths with CSII reported better physical, emotional, and school-related functioning, and had less diabetes-related fear and symptoms than the MDI group. There were no significant differences in body mass index z-scores, insulin doses, HbA 1c , and VO 2max between the groups. HRQoL was predicted by the CSII therapy (β =−0.220; p < .001) and the VO 2max (β = 0.386; p < .001), other clinical and anthropometric parameters had no effect; the HbA1c was predicted only by VO2max (β =−0.353; p < .001). Conclusions: Diabetic youths treated with CSII therapy have better HRQoL than those treated with MDI. There are no differences between the investigated groups in anthropometric data, glycated hemoglobin, and physical fitness. Moreover, good physical fitness has an important role in achieving better metabolic control and HRQoL, which underlines the importance of regular aerobic exercise in the treatment and care of type 1 diabetes in childhood.

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Objective: to explore the relationship among health-related quality of life (HRQoL), clinical variables, anthropometric measures, physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Furthermore, we aimed to find predictors of HRQoL and metabolic control. Methods: A total of 106 patients (sex ratio: 1:1) with mean HbA1c of 8.55 (± 1.44) % and diabetes duration of 5.15 (± 3.24) years were assessed. The average age was 13.22 (± 3.08) years. Results: We observed statistically significant negative medium correlation between HbA 1c and VO 2max (r = -0.343; p < 0.001). There was statistically significant small positive correlation between the HRQoL and the maximal oxygen consumption (r = 0.208; p = 0.032). We found no significant correlation between the HbA 1c and the patients' HRQoL. In the multiple linear regression analysis both the better metabolic control and the HRQoL was predicted by the VO 2max , other variables had no effect. Physical activity level did not explain the HRQoL. Boys had significantly better HRQoL and less skinfold thickness than girls. Conclusion: Better cardiorespiratory fitness associated with both favourable metabolic control and better HRQoL of diabetic youths. Regular aerobic exercise improves the young patients' physical fitness and overall health status, and perception of health-related quality of life, respectively.