Key points to remember

• circumcision is the operation to remove the foreskin (the flap of skin naturally covering the tip of the penis)
• there are conflicting points of view about the risks as well as the possible benefits of circumcision
• the Paediatric Society of NZ's position is that there is no medical reason for routine male circumcision
• if circumcision is to be performed, parents / caregivers and their doctor should ensure that it is done by an experienced and competent person using an appropriate anaesthetic
• to reduce the risks and the discomfort for the child, the operation is best performed under a general anaesthetic after the age of six months

 Back to Top

Where to go for information

The Paediatrics and Child Health Division of the RACP (Royal Australasian College of Physicians) has produced a parent information leaflet: Circumcision: a parents’ guide to routine circumcision of male infants and boys¹ (at right). The aim of this leaflet is to clarify current information about circumcision to help you decide whether to have your son circumcised.

 

The pamphlet has information under the following headings:

• what is circumcision?
• why choose not to have your son circumcised?
• why choose circumcision for your son?

The pamphlet includes the following statement:

 

After extensive review of the literature, the Paediatrics & Child Health Division of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians has concluded that there is no medical reason for routine newborn male circumcision.

 

 Back to Top

---

Links   (these are the web addresses for the numbered links in the text above)

[1] http://www.kidshealth.org.nz/pdfs/circumcision1[1].pdf

Back to Top

---

Your notes

Print this page

Endorsement

This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 18/03/2008

Copyright

Fact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation.
© The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2010

The Paediatric Society of New Zealand http://www.paediatrics.org.nz

Starship Foundation http://www.starship.org.nz