Newborns
All
About Circumcision
The whats, whys,
and hows about newborn circumcision.
What It Is
When boys are born, they have a piece of skin that covers the end
of the penis, called the foreskin. Circumcision is the surgical removal
of the foreskin to expose the tip of the penis.
A newborn must
be stable and healthy to be circumcised. If a parent decides to have
her baby circumcised, the procedure is usually performed in the baby's
first few days of life (assuming the procedure will not be taking
place during a religious ceremony). To perform the procedure, the
doctor places the baby on a special table and cleans the baby's penis
and foreskin. A special clamp is attached to the penis, and the foreskin
is removed. Finally, ointment and gauze or a plastic ring are placed
over the cut to protect it from rubbing against the diaper.
The procedure
is done quickly. The baby may cry during the procedure and for a short
while afterward. Local anesthesia can greatly reduce your baby's discomfort.
If you decide to have your son circumcised, talk with your child's
doctor about anesthesia options.
Making the Decision
Circumcision is an elective procedure. It's your choice whether to
have your son circumcised. In most cases, there is no medical need
for a circumcision. It is not required by law or by hospital policy.
Scientific studies show some medical benefits of circumcision, but
these benefits are not sufficient enough for the American Academy
of Pediatrics (AAP) to recommend that all infant boys be circumcised.
The AAP does recommend, however, that parents discuss the benefits
and risks of circumcision with their pediatrician and then make an
informed decision.
Ask yourself
why you may or may not want your son to be circumcised. Some parents
may want their sons circumcised for religious, social, or cultural
reasons. Followers of the Jewish and Islamic faiths have circumcised
their male newborns for centuries. Although many newborn boys in the
United States are circumcised, it is much less common in Northern
Europe and other parts of the world. Ask yourself if it matters whether
your son looks like other men in the family or his peers.
Whether or not
to circumcise your newborn is an important decision. Circumcision
could be riskier if done later in a boy's life, so if you have any
questions or concerns, talk with your doctor about them during your
pregnancy. Then you'll have enough time to make an informed decision.
Benefits and Drawbacks
According to the AAP, research suggests that there may be some medical
benefits to circumcision. Boys who have been circumcised are at reduced
risk for:
Foreskin infections
Urinary tract
infections
Penile cancer
Sexually transmitted
diseases
Phimosis, a condition
in uncircumcised males that makes foreskin retraction impossible
Here are some of the reasons parents may decide not to have their
baby circumcised:
Surgical risks: As with any surgery, circumcision has some risks.
Complications are rare and usually minor. The most common complications
are bleeding and infection.
Penile damage:
Very rarely, the foreskin may be cut too short or too long. Equally
unlikely is improper healing from the circumcision. These complications
may require another circumcision or--in extreme cases--penile reconstruction.
Alteration of
penile sensitivity: Some people claim that circumcision may lessen
the sensitivity of the tip of the penis, decreasing sexual pleasure
later in life. However, this hasn't been proven to be true.
Fear of pain:
Some parents choose not to circumcise their sons because they are
worried about the pain the baby may feel.
Protection of
the tip of the penis: When the foreskin is removed, the tip of the
penis may become irritated, causing the urinary opening to become
too small. This could lead to urination problems that may need to
be surgically corrected.
Care of the Circumcised
Newborn
After the circumcision, the tip of the penis may seem raw or yellowish
for seven to ten days. Keep the area as clean as possible by washing
your baby's penis with soap and water every day. Change his diapers
often so that urine and stool do not cause infection.
If doctors have
dressed the penis in gauze, apply a new bandage each time you change
his diaper. Coat the gauze with petroleum jelly to keep it from sticking.
Some doctors
apply a plastic ring instead of a bandage. This will drop off by itself
within five to eight days.
Complications
from a circumcision are rare. However, every surgery carries some
risk. The AAP reports that complications occur in 1 in 200 to 1 in
500 circumcised newborn males. The most frequent complications are
minor bleeding and local infection, both of which can be easily treated
by your child's doctor. Call your pediatrician right away if:
Your baby does not urinate normally within 6 to 8 hours after the
circumcision.
There is persistent
bleeding.
There is redness
around the tip of the penis that gets worse after 3 to 5 days.
Care of the Uncircumcised Newborn
It is important to keep the uncircumcised penis clean. Gently wash
the genital area while bathing your baby. You do not need to do any
special cleansing, such as with cotton swabs or antiseptics.
The foreskin
does not fully retract for several years and should never be forced.
Once the foreskin fully retracts, around age 3, boys should be taught
how to wash underneath the foreskin every day. The American College
of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends that you teach your son to
clean his foreskin by:
Gently pulling it back away from the head of the penis
Rinsing the head
of the penis and inside fold of the foreskin with soap and warm water
Pulling the foreskin
back over the head of the penis
Your
should know:
The
information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes
only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical
advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose
or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your
pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any
questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's
condition.
Rebornne Baby. American Baby
