Thursday, January 29, 2015

Newborn Circumcision And Its Benefits

By Ines Flores


The practice of circumcision is one that has been with us for centuries. In ancient days, it was mainly performed for religious and cultural purposes but this has changed over time and it has taken a more medical angle. There is a huge variation as relates to the timing at which the cut is undertaken. When used for cultural rites of passage, circumcision is usually done to adolescent boys or young adults. Newborn circumcision is a common practice in many western countries and among the Jews.

One of the arguments in favor of circumcision is the fact that it makes it easier to maintain hygiene. For the uncircumcised, the foreskin may provide a breeding ground for bacterial organisms the result of which is increased levels of urinary tract infections. It is also purported that once circumcised, men tend to have better sexual sensitivity and make better sexual partners. These claims, unfortunately, do not have scientific based backing.

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.

There are a number of medical conditions that may prevent the procedure from being carried out immediately. Prematurity requires that the baby waits for some time for weight gain before they can be considered for the surgery. A number of boys are born with abnormalities of the urethra popularly known as hypospadia and epispadia. Whenever these conditions are noted the procedure will be delayed and the foreskin will be used for repair of the defect.

In general the procedure is safe but there are a number of complications that may be encountered. Local site infection and bleeding are fairly common but easily controlled in the hospital setting. Late onset infections also respond well to treatment with antibiotics when identified early and treated promptly. Pain is usually managed by the use of either general or local anesthesia.

It is important to maintain high levels of hygiene once the baby has been discharged from hospital. The site should be cleaned gently at least once daily with warm water. Not only will this help to minimize infections but is also important in promoting healing. Petroleum jelly helps in reducing the irritation that may be created by diapers.

If performed in the right manner, the wound will take between 7 and 10 days to heal. There may be residual redness of the penile tip but this subsides with time. During the first few days, look out for excessive bleeding, fever and production of pus from the penis. In the event that you notice any of these signs get in touch of your doctor. Failure to pass urine for 12 hours after the surgery requires to be addressed immediately.

If you chose to leave your child uncircumcised it will not make them any less of a man. The important thing is to make sure that the uncircumcised penis is kept clean to hinder the survival of bacterial organisms. Gently cleaning with warm water daily is enough. The foreskin should not be retracted forcefully since it takes about three years before it is fully retractable.




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