American Academy of Pediatrics Shifts its Stance on Newborn Male Circumcision

Owasso, OK (PRWEB) September 11, 2012

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has just published an evidence-based recommendation that discusses male infant circumcision http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2012/08/22/peds.2012-1990.full.pdf and while not recommending that all male infants be circumcised, states that the benefits outweigh the risks and that parents be informed of all the potential benefits and risks so they can make an informed decision.
The health benefits of newborn male circumcision include the prevention of
1). male urinary tract infection,
2). acquisition of heterosexually-transmitted HIV,
3). transmission of certain sexually transmitted diseases (syphilis, human papilloma virus [HPV], and maybe herpes simplex virus type 2 [HSV-2])
4). bacterial vaginosis in female sexual partners, and
5). cancer of the penis.

Male circumcision does not appear to affect sexual satisfaction nor penile sexual sensitivity or function. Significant short-term complications from the procedure are rare in clinicians who are well-trained.

The AAP recommends that parents should be informed of the benefits and risks of circumcision before conception or early in pregnancy when parents typically make circumcision decisions and that insurance should cover the procedure because of the preventive and public health benefits of circumcision.

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