Summarize the pros and cons of newborn circumcision.
QUESTION
Summarize the pros and cons of newborn circumcision.
Summarize the pros and cons of newborn circumcision.
ANSWER
Circumcised vs. Uncircumcised: The Benefits and Drawbacks of Baby Circumcision
Still wondering if the pain of infant circumcision is worth the medical benefits—which are minor given that it protects against conditions that are uncommon? You should weigh the benefits and drawbacks of circumcision.
The AAP recognizes the following advantages of circumcision over uncircumcision:
A lower risk of urinary tract infections; a circumcised infant has a one in 1,000 chance of developing a UTI in the first year of life, compared to a one in 100 chance if he is not circumcised.
A significantly lower risk of contracting HIV
A lower risk of contracting other STDs such as herpes, HPV, and syphilis
A lower risk of penile cancer, despite the fact that this type of cancer is extremely rare.
Foreskin infection prevention and retraction issues
Enhanced genital hygiene
The risks of baby circumcision are also minimal:
Bleeding as a result of a clotting disorder
Infection at the location
Penis or testicles injury
According to one study, serious injuries occur in approximately.2 percent of procedures (typically those performed outside of a hospital setting). “A slipping scalpel, a doctor having a stroke during the procedure—you’ve got a better chance of winning the lottery than a partial amputation of the head of the penis,” Soykan says. “What is the scariest risk?” If the penis looks more like a turtle neck than a head sticking out through a t-shirt, the parents are unhappy.”