Circumcision is cutting away the skin (“foreskin”) that covers the tip of a baby’s penis. In recent years, newborn circumcision has been a hot topic of debate.
Your choice of whether to circumcise your son may be a question of religion or custom (circumcision is part of Jewish and Muslim custom). In other cases, parents may simply want their son to look like his father or other male family members.
The rate of circumcision in the U.S. is falling. In the 1970s and 1980s, about 8 of every 10 boys born in the U.S. were circumcised. Today, 5 or 6 of every 10 boys are circumcised. Circumcision rates in the U.S. differ by region. Fewer boys in western states are circumcised. The north central region has the highest rates of circumcision. Only about 1 in 3 males are circumcised worldwide. The highest rates for circumcision are in the Middle East, South Korea, and the U.S. Circumcision is rare in Latin America, most of Asia, and in Europe. It is on the rise in Africa, where studies have shown that circumcision lowers the risk of getting HIV. The Royal Dutch Medical Association in The Netherlands called for a ban on circumcision in 2010, stating that it is “medically unnecessary and violates children’s rights.”
Picture : Phimosis
Benefits and Risks
In the U.S., the American Urological Association (AUA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) each have a policy statement on circumcision. Both groups recommend that it be offered as a choice to parents. The AUA believes that circumcising newborns has benefits and risks.
The most recent policy statement of the AAP in 2012 indicated that, based on newer evidence, the benefits of a circumcision outweigh the risks of the procedure. You should talk with your child’s doctor about the health risks and benefits, and decide what will work for your family.
Picture : Phimosis
Benefits of Circumcision
Studies have shown that circumcision lowers the risk of getting HIV. This is because the foreskin is not like the skin on other parts of your body. The foreskin has a type of cell called Langerhans cells, which are more likely to attach to HIV cells. Based on these findings, in 2007 the World Health Organization endorsed circumcision as a way to help stop the spread of HIV. Studies have also shown that circumcision reduces the spread of other diseases that are passed through sex.
Circumcised boys are less likely to have a urinary tract infection in their first 6 months. As they grow older, circumcised males are also less likely to get penile cancer. Still, this type of cancer is rare in the U.S. And uncircumcised males can prevent penile cancer with good hygiene and keeping the area under the foreskin clean.
Properly performed circumcision on newborns also prevents phimosis, paraphimosis and balanoposthitis – all problems with the foreskin.
Risks of Circumcision
The risk of bad side effects from circumcision is low. The most common side effect is bleeding or infection. When circumcision is not done the right way, the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) or penis may be hurt. In rare cases, death has even occurred.
Some problems linked to circumcision that may not be noticed until later are buried penis, meatal stenosis (narrow opening at the end of the penis), skin bridges, chordee (curved penis), and the penis not looking right. Some of these problems may need to be fixed with surgery.
Picture : Circumcision
Procedure
Circumcision of a newborn is mostly a quick, safe procedure when done by a skilled doctor. To lessen pain for newborns, a pain killer may be used. There is some evidence that babies may be less likely to feel pain 7 to 10 days after birth. This is because newborns have a high level of endorphins (substances made by the body that reduce pain).
A special clamp is attached to the penis and the foreskin is cut away.
Picture : Circumcision
After Procedure
After circumcision, caring for the penis is simple but important. Wash the area gently with warm water. Pat dry and put on a new bandage with antibiotic ointment each time you change the diaper. It should take about a week to heal. It’s normal for there to be a little swelling, redness and maybe blood at first. If these problems last several days or get worse, have your baby seen by his doctor. Also talk to your baby’s doctor if he gets a fever or doesn’t have a wet diaper within 12 hours of circumcision. Almost all side effects are easily treated.
