EBF1 (early B-cell factor 1),also achieving genomewide significance for preterm birth, has been demonstrated to beessential for normal B cell development,51 and recent genomewide association studies have implicated it in control of bloodpressure,52,53 carotid artery intima media thickness,54 hypospadias,35 and metabolic risk.55 This evidence concerns the gene EBF1 and hypospadias.