Information on Baby Circumcision

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Baby Circumcision

Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin, the half inch of skinthat covers the head of the infant's penis. It has been a religious and culturaltradition in many parts of the world for thousands of years and was the norm for newborn boys a gener- ation ago. More recently, some consumer groups and professional organiza- tions have questioned theGlans wisdom of routine circum-cision.

The advantages of circumcision are primarily hygienic. The circumcised scroturn penis is easier to keep , Scrotum — clean, whereas uncircum- cised boys and men mustlearn to retract (gently pullback) the foreskin to cleanthe head of the penis.Otherwise, the accumulation of debris and bacteria may lead to an inflammationknown as balanitis. Some evidence suggests that uncircumcised children are athigher risk for infections of the urinary tract. In older men, cancer of the penis(a relatively rare disease) occurs almost exclusively in the uncircumcised.

On the other hand, circumcision is a minor surgery and thus carries with itry slight risk of complications, specifically moderate bleeding, infection, orinjury to the penis. If there is a family history of bleeding problems, the pro-.ure should not be done until the baby's clotting status has been checked.:es who have not had a vitamin K injection (sometimes the case when the-.- was born at home) tend to bleed more freely after the procedure. Inteestingly, the biblical mandate for circumcision of male babies in the nationsrael called for the procedure to be done on the eighth day—which, prior touse of vitamin K, was precisely the time clotting-factor levels would peak,reducing the risk of bleeding.)

Typically, circumcision is done by the baby's pediatrician or family doctor,jom's obstetrician, before the baby leaves the hospital, although it can bed anytime during the first few weeks. It should not be done if there is any..)n about the newborn's stability, especially during the first twenty-fourSome physicians use a local anesthetic to relieve pain, although the babynormally stop crying immediately after the procedure is finished. Circumcision is generally carried out when the infant's stomach is empty, but he_ nursed immediately afterwards. A small dressing will be applied to prevent bleeding, and it will fall off on its own within a day or two. The head of the:ill appear somewhat raw, and a small amount of petroleum jelly will keepsticking to the inner surface of his diaper. If the circumcision has beenith a device called a Plastibell, the small plastic bell will fall off on its own in about three or four days, leaving a healed surface.

If a baby boy is not circumcised, the foreskin should be left alone until it can ted easily, which may occur anytime before puberty. Occasionally prob-1:h the foreskin develop later in life, and in some cases a circumcision be-.: medical necessity for an older child or adult.

Whether or not to have a baby boy circumcised is a straightforward decision families and a quandary for others. Despite some potential health ad- there is no medical consensus specifically supporting or condemning. infant circumcision. For many families, religious or other traditions are..n considerations. In others, the father or an older brother has been and the parents want everyone to look alike. Foreskin uniformity in-:a; however, is not really necessary for a child's emotional well-being.

If you are uncertain about your decision, take some time to discuss the pros with the baby's physician and (assuming you are married) with your bottom line is that you can and should be comfortable.

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