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Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis. The foreskin
is a layer of skin the covers and protects the head (glans) of the penis. The
surgery is usually performed on a newborn within 48 hours of birth.
Making the decision:
The decision to circumcise your baby is a very personal one. Parents need
to understand the advantages and disadvantages of circumcision before making
the decision. Circumcision has been common in the U.S. sine the 1940’s,
mostly because doctors thought it promoted good hygiene and prevented disease.
Circumcision rates are much lower in Northern Europe and other parts of the
world. Some children are circumcised for religious or cultural reasons. Moslems
and Jews have circumcised their newborns as a sacred ritual for
centuries.
Some parents choose to have a circumcision performed for the sake of hygiene.
Smegma, a discharge containing dead cells, can build up under the foreskin of
uncircumcised males. This can lead to odor and infection. Boys who are
uncircumcised can be taught to keep their penis clean by gently washing the area
while bathing. Another reason parents may opt for circumcision, is so their son
looks the same as his father. They don’t want the child to feel different.
Other parents choose not to circumcise their infant because they are concerned
about the pain and potential risks involved with the surgery.
One of the most common reasons for circumcision is the inability to retract the
foreskin of the penis of newborn, a condition called phimosis. This is normal
in newborn males and most uncircumcised males can retract the foreskin by the age
of five. Circumcision is used to treat some medical condition, including swelling
and inflammation of the tip of the penis, inflammation of the foreskin, and
frequent urinary tract infections in the infant.
Newborns should not be circumcised if certain conditions are present such as an
abnormality of the penis, a swelling or protrusion of the spinal cord, or an abnormal
opening of the rectum. Newborns who are sick, in an unstable condition or are premature
and not yet able to go home are also not good candidates for circumcision.
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