INDIANAPOLIS -
The nation's most influential pediatrician group says for newborn boys, the benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks.
William Scott Rosier is a newborn baby who heads home today circumcised.
"It was not a cosmetic decision for us. It was a health care decision," said mom Sarah Rosier.
In Indiana, the surgical procedure on a boy's penis is mostly performed by the mother's obstetrician soon after birth.
"It's just a small area about a centimeter of skin that we remove in a circumferential fashion that is just purely skin," said Dr. Karla Loken, St. Vincent OBGYN.
Two years ago, 55 percent of American boys were circumcised. It's a rate that is steadily declining, but now the American Academy of Pediatrics says after reviewing new data, the health benefits outweigh the risks.
"The benefits of having a circumcision are to reduce urinary tract infections, to lessen the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, prevent the transmission of HIV or lessen the transmission of HIV and then also to reduce the instance of some penile cancers," said Dr. Loken.
According to the latest data from the CDC, the risk of HIV infection is 60 percent less in circumcised men. They also have a 30-percent lower risk of genital herpes and a 35-percent lower risk of cancer-causing HPV, or human papillomavirus.
It was convincing for Sarah Rosier, who had confidence in her doctor and the local anesthesia to minimize pain.
"It just takes a couple of seconds to do and they gave him a pacifier and he was fine," she said.
"A little Vaseline and a day and they are already healed," said Dr. Loken.
The Academy wants parents to know that is an elective procedure with strong family and cultural preferences.
Dr. Loken says it's an emotional topic. "Absolutely. I had three physicians this morning say they would absolutely not be interviewed on this topic. I think they are afraid that there are special interest groups and people who feel so passionately about this that we should not be doing it. We are here to give you medical advice and help you make a decision."
Parents may have to push their doctor to give them the information since it is a sensitive issue. If you are expecting a baby boy, you're advised to get educated so you have the facts you need to make a decision. The academy says while the benefits outweigh the risks, parents should not be pressured into choosing the procedure for their child.
The report today urged doctors to provide information to parents by the 28th week of pregnancy.
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