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What parents need to know first If you’re expecting a baby boy, you have plenty of decisions to make – other than what shade of blue to paint the nursery. Before you take your newborn home, you need to decide whether or not to circumcise him. For some parents, this decision is based on cultural or religious beliefs, or even ethnic traditions, and making the choice is a simple one. For others, though, the choice isn’t as “black and white.” Before you make this – and any other decision affecting the health of your child – speak to your child’s pediatrician. The potential benefits and risks should be explained, and parents should understand that circumcision is an elective procedure. First, it’s important to understand what circumcision is: the surgical removal of foreskin covering the head of the penis. The procedure is best performed within the first 2-3 weeks after birth, as it can become more complicated as a child gets older. Often, however, the procedure is performed within the first 48 hours, when your child is still in the hospital. Is circumcision the best option? More than half of newborn males are circumcised in the United States each year. Studies indicate that circumcised infants are less likely to contract urinary tract infections in the first year of life. Circumcised men may also be at a lower risk for penile cancer, although the disease is rare. Some parents choose circumcision because of concerns about hygiene. It is easier to keep a circumcised penis clean, although uncircumcised boys can learn how to clean beneath the foreskin once the foreskin becomes retractable – usually by age 5. The risks involved Although circumcision does appear to have some medical benefits, the procedure does carry some risks – as does any surgical procedure. The risks are small and complications uncommon, but minor bleeding and a local infection can occur. Both are easily treated by your child’s physician. Perhaps the most difficult part of the circumcision decision is the pain associated with the procedure. In the past, pain relief was not given to infants being circumcised. But now, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of pain relief. Besides anesthesia, including a topical cream or an injectable local anesthetic, giving your child a pacifier dipped in sugar water can reduce your child’s level of stress. Used together, these measures may decrease discomfort by more than 50%. What to do after the procedure If you choose to circumcise your son, it’s important to keep his penis clean by washing it with soap and warm water at every bath. There are no special washing precautions for circumcised infants, besides being very gentle. You may also need to change a bandage on the incision – whenever you change his diaper for a day or 2 after the procedure. Petroleum jelly on the bandage keeps it from sticking to the skin. Petroleum jelly may also be recommended for your child’s penis or on the inside front of the diaper to alleviate any discomfort caused by friction. It takes about 7-10 days for the penis to heal. Until it does, the tip may be raw or yellowish in color. That’s normal. But these symptoms are not normal and warrant a call to the doctor: > persistent bleeding > redness around the tip of the penis that worsens after 3 days > fever > pus-filled blisters or other signs of an infection > any changes in your child’s urination pattern With quick intervention, circumcision-related problems are easily treated. The decision to circumcise your son is just 1 of many you’ll make as a parent. Be sure to speak to your child’s physician first. Dr. Maria L. Tupas is a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). |
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