目的　探讨表皮生长因子 (EGF)及其表皮生长因子受体 (EGFR)在尿道下裂发生中的作用。方法　应用免疫组织化学染色方法对 15例尿道下裂患儿包皮组织和尿道板中EGF、EGFR表达进行检测。结果　 15例尿道下裂患儿包皮组织中EGF、EGFR阳性细胞指数分别为 195± 4、15 3± 8,均低于正常儿童为 2 12± 4,2 2 5± 6 (P <0 .0 1) ,尿道板中EGF、EGFR阳性细胞指数分别为 15 3±8、118± 7,亦明显少于其包皮组织 (P <0 .0 1)。结论　EGF、EGFR在包皮组织中的不足表达和不均衡分布可能与尿道下裂的发生有关 Objective To investigate the role of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the pathogenesis of hypospadias. Methods Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of EGF and EGFR in the foreskin tissue and urethral plate of 15 children with hypospadias. Results The index of EGF and EGFR positive cells in the foreskin of children with hypospadias was 195 ± 4 and 153 ± 8, respectively, which were all lower than those of the normal children (2 12 ± 4 and 22 5 ± 6, P <0. 0 1). The index of EGF and EGFR positive cells in urethral plate was 15 3 ± 8 and 118 ± 7 respectively, which was also significantly lower than that of foreskin (P <0.01). Conclusions The under-expression and imbalanced distribution of EGF and EGFR in the foreskin may be related to the occurrence of hypospadias