Circumcision in Children

Excerpt

Circumcision is one of the most common surgical procedures performed on children. Neonatal circumcision rates vary widely between different cultures, with rates as high as 64% [1] in North America, between 10% and 20% in Australia [2], and far lower rates in Europe and Asia [1]. It is also one of the most controversial procedures with reference to its indications. Circumcisions are either performed in the neonatal period as a prophylactic measure against diseases or therapeutically at a later age. Ritualistic circumcision involves the removal of normal, healthy genital tissue from infants and children for religious, societal or supposed medical benefits. Religious circumcision is practiced in the Jews and the Muslims. Definite medical indications for circumcision in children include pathological phimosis; paraphimosis; recurrent balanitis; Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans (BXO); recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) and benign and malignant lesions of prepuce [3]. In Japan and Canada [4, 5], surgeons do not advocate routine neonatal circumcision while studies from Sub-Saharan Africa report increased acceptance of circumcision. …