Circumcision Decision

AAP Circumcision Policy Statement

"Existing scientific evidence demonstrates potential medical benefits of newborn male circumcision; however, these data are not sufficient to recommend routine neonatal circumcision. In circumstances in which there are potential benefits and risks, yet the procedure is not essential to the child's current well-being, parents should determine what is in the best interest of the child. To make an informed choice, parents of all male infants should be given accurate and unbiased information and be provided with the opportunity to discuss this decision. If a decision for a circumcision is made, procedural analgesia should be provided."

No major medical organization endorses circumcision.  The trend is now obviously favoring leaving your sons intact, with fewer and fewer parents making the decision to circumcise their sons- something with which I agree.

Benefits

  • Questionable: less risk of penile cancer
  • Questionable:  less risk of HIV transmission and syphilis (of course, precautions for STD transmission, like condoms, are still necessary)

Complications

  • It messes up the establishment of feeding since the kids pretty much shut down for hours after the procedure if done in the first few days.  Eating is more important than this procedure.
  • Bleeding
  • Unsatisfactory cosmesis (it may look bad)
  • Infection
  • Need for revision if it doesn't heal well.  This requires general anesthesia if the child isn't a newborn.
  • You can't put it back.  Your son may feel differently about your choice as he enters manhood, and there's not much we can do.

Information on how to care for your boy (depending on your decision) is found here.

Circumcisions that "grow back"

 

 

 

updated April 10, 2007