Doctor Group Lists Benefits of Circumcision

The benefits of circumcising baby boys outweigh the small risks, the largest group of U.S. children’s doctors says. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published the new policy statement in its journal, Pediatrics. The statement does not urge circumcision for all newborn boys. It says the decision is up to parents and doctors. The old statement said risks and benefits were equal. The new one cites recent evidence that circumcision reduces the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. It also reduces the risk of urinary tract infections in babies. Risks include bleeding and infection, but these are rare. Circumcision does cause pain. The AAP says baby boys should get medicine for pain before the procedure. The AAP report comes amid efforts to ban infant circumcision in some places. Opponents say it violates a boy’s rights because he is unable to consent.