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Wednesday, 29 October 2008 15:12 |
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The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a policy statement yesterday declaring that routine male neonatal circumcision is unwarranted by scientific evidence. The new policy overturned a 1989 AAP statement, which concluded that circumcision had both risks and benefits. In contrast to the previous statement, the current task force found that, "Existing scientific evidence demonstrates potential medical benefits of newborn male circumcision; however, these data are not sufficient to recommend routine neonatal circumcision." And, the task force stressed that any benefits of the surgery-are minor."
However, the experts noted that, "it is legitimate for parents to take into account cultural, religious, and ethnic traditions, in addition to medical factors, when making this decision.' The study's authors also sited evidence indicating that infants undergoing circumcision experience pain. Consequently, the statement recommended analgesic use during the procedure.
Task Force on Circumcision. Circumcision policy statement Pediatrics 1999; 103 (3): 686-693 |
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