Deciding About Infant Circumcision
One of the first medical decisions parents of a baby boy need to make is whether or not to have him circumcised. For many parents these days, it’s a decision fraught with confusion and controversy.
In the United States, infant circumcisions used to be performed routinely. Nowadays, people are asking more questions, and it’s no longer a ‘given.’ In fact, the percentage of boys circumcised in the United States dropped from 90% to approximately 60% during the 1980s.
When a baby boy is circumcised, the foreskin of his
penis is removed, leaving the head of the penis exposed.
The origin of the procedure is not known, but it has been practiced for over 4,000 years in many parts of the world. For some cultures it has religious significance.
In the United States, infant circumcision is performed for a number of reasons. Many parents worry their son will feel awkward if he looks different from his father, brothers and male friends. It is also widely believed that a circumcised penis is easier to keep clean and that accumulation of smegma (white, waxy material found on the head of the penis) can cause inflammation or infection.
Opponents of infant circumcision contend that there is no medical reason for the procedure and no benefits gained from it. Tests show that infants feel pain from circumcision, although the operation is brief. Opponents also believe an uncircumcised child will not feel awkward if his parents are comfortable with their decision. And, they say, simply keeping the uncircumcised penis clean will prevent infections.
The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that studies show medical benefits to circumcision, including reduced risk of urinary tract infection and cancer of the penis. The AAP’s stand on the issue is that although infant circumcision has potential medical benefits, they are “not compelling enough to warrant the AAP to recommend routine newborn circumcision.” As with any minor surgical procedure, there is a small risk of complications. And, while it has been shown that infants do feel pain from the operation, new anesthetic techniques are available that help minimize that pain. If parents decide to circumcise their newborn, the AAP recommends that pain relief should be provided. The AAP advises parents to make the decision they are most comfortable with in consultation with their pediatrician.
In making this decision, parents should consider their own religious and philosophical feelings about the procedure and what impact their decision might have on their child. Another thing to keep in mind is that some insurance carriers consider infant circumcision elective surgery and don’t cover the cost or pay only a portion of it. 435 words
