Early infant circumcision? Risks and benefits.

By: Dr. Khan

Published: June 25, 2025

Professor Emeritus Brian J. Morris has publised an article in the medical literatutre.

“Evidence-based policy statements by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) support infant and later age male circumcision (MC) as a desirable public health measure. Our systematic review of relevant literature over the past decade yielded 140 journal articles that met our inclusion criteria. Together, these showed that early infant MC confers immediate and lifelong benefits by protecting against urinary tract infections having potential adverse long-term renal effects, phimosis that causes difficult and painful erections and “ballooning” during urination, inflammatory skin conditions, inferior penile hygiene, candidiasis, various sexually transmissible infections in both sexes, genital ulcers, and penile, prostate and cervical cancer. Our risk-benefit analysis showed that benefits exceeded procedural risks, which are predominantly minor, by up to 200 to 1. We estimated that more than 1 in 2 uncircumcised males will experience an adverse foreskin-related medical con- dition over their lifetime. Wide-ranging evidence from surveys, physiological measurements, and the anatomical location of penile sensory receptors responsible for sexual sensation strongly and consistently suggested that MC has no detrimental effect on sexual function, sensitivity or pleasure. United States studies showed that early infant MC is cost saving. The evidence supporting early infant MC has further strengthened since the positive AAP and CDC reviews.”

Reference: Early infant male circumcision: Systematic review, risk benefit analysis, and progress in policy 2017

Dr. A.R Khan

Paediatric Surgeon/Urologist

Bio

BSC, MBBS, FRCS, FEBPS, FRCS (PAEDS)
Dr. Khan is a highly experienced and respected paediatric surgeon and urologist with a distinguished career that spans over three decades. He has performed more than 7,000 circumcisions in the UK and is recognised for his expertise in treating foreskin problems, buried penis, and hypospadias. Dr. Khan is also pioneering new techniques in circumcisions for adults, children, and infants, ensuring the highest standards of care for his patients.
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