Is The Practice Of Newborn Circumcision Really Beneficial?

By Ines Flores


Male circumcision has its roots in the ancient past. Historians believe that the practice was mainly done during rites of passage usually during cultural or religious practices. It was administered to new believers as a physical mark of a covenant in various religions. In a number of communities it was used to indicate passage from childhood into adulthood. Today, most people subject their children to the cut on medical grounds. This is the main reason behind the increase in newborn circumcision.

One of the arguments that have been advanced in favor of circumcision is the fact that it helps in reducing the incidence of urinary tract infections. This is because the penis is easier to clean without the foreskin and bacterial organisms no longer have an environment to replicate and cause disease in young boys. In sexually active adults, there have been claims that circumcised men have greater sensitivity than their uncircumcised counterparts but this has not been proven scientifically.

Many parents in Toronto, ON prefer to subject their baby boys to the procedure within the first ten days after birth. It has been shown through research that the risk of complications is greater in older children and adults. At the same time, hospital stay is slightly longer for the older children. Pediatricians and obstetricians present during delivery usually perform the circumcision but the same may be done by any qualified health provider.

In some cases, the procedure may be delayed to a later date. For instance, if the baby is born prematurely, doctors will recommend that the he be admitted until the weight is acceptable. This is because the premature baby may not tolerate the anesthesia used for the procedure. In the event that an abnormality of the genital organs is identified such as that affecting the urethra, it is advisable that circumcision be delayed.

Generally, this procedure is very safe but a few complications may be encountered occasionally. Some of the complications that have been reported include local infection and bleeding. The good news is that these complications are easy to manage especially within the hospital setting. The important thing is to identify these complications early and to address them in a timely manner.

After the procedure, the penile area should be kept as clean as possible to keep infections at bay. Gentle cleaning with warm water should be done at least once daily. There may be some irritation by diapers especially in the first three to five days but this is usually relieved by application of petroleum jelly on the wound.

On average, healing will take place within 10 days. There may be some persistent redness but this should not be a cause for concern. The danger signs include pus from the surgical site, fevers and excessive bleeding. Get in touch with your doctor if notice any of these signs. If the baby does not pass urine for more than 12 hours after they undergo the surgery, the doctor should be alerted.

For those that decide against circumcision, it is important to maintain hygiene as well. Daily cleaning of the uncircumcised penis as you wash the baby helps to get rid of bacterial organisms that may be harbored beneath the foreskin. Ensure that this is done gently bearing in mind that the foreskin takes about 3 years to be fully retractable.




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