**Note: The topics discussed here in “Caring for Your Child” are for your general information and are not a substitute for medical advice. You should contact your physician or other healthcare provider with any questions about your health, treatment, or care, or to discuss the information you have read here.

• What is circumcision?
  • Circumcision is the removal of the skin that covers tip of the penis
• What types of doctors will perform circumcision for the baby? When do I know which doctor to choose for the circumcision?
  • Pediatricians
  • OB-GYN doctors
  • Urologists

    **Most of the time your OB-GYN doctor or pediatrician will perform the circumcision. If there are any abnormalities of the penis or other conditions which might increase the risks associated with circumcision then usually an urologist performs the procedure

• What are the reasons parent choose circumcision? What are the benefits?  
  • Less chance of UTI in the first year of life only;
  • Less chance of penile cancer in the first year of life
  • Less chance of contracting HIV infection as an adult
  • Prevention of foreskin infections and tightening of foreskin called phimosis
  • Easier to clean

• What are the cons? Are there any risks with the procedure itself?
  • There is a 1 in 500 risk of complication in circumcision-which is considered an elective procedure
  • Bleeding
  • Scarring
  • Taking too much or too little skin
  • Need for second circumcision
  • Injury to penis itself
  • Pain
  • Cost

• Are there any absolute contraindications to having circumcision at the hospital?
  • Abnormalities of the tip of the penis known as the glans
  • For example: hypospadias
• Other abnormalities of the shaft

• Is it medically necessary to have circumcision?
  • No
• I have heard there are different types of circumcision-Is there one type that is superior?
  • Gomco
  • Mogan
  • Plasti-bell
  • All should be equivalent in trained hands;
• Is there a certain time frame in which I need to decide about circumcision?
  • Best to do it in the first month; If you wait until after the baby is 1-2 months and over a certain weight (usually 10 lb), then the child must have the procedure done with general anesthesia which increases the risk
• What type of things can I request my doctor to do to lessen my baby’s pain during the procedure?
  • Local anesthesia (numbing medicine) given by injection or a cream
  • Pain relieving medicine by mouth
  • Sugar water-Research has shown that given small amounts of sugar water can act as a pain reliever without the harmful side effects