Circumcision is a surgical procedure to remove the foreskin, the skin that covers the tip of the penis. In the United States, it is often done before a new baby leaves the hospital. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), there are medical benefits and risks to circumcision.

Some male infants will be circumcised shortly after birth. Circumcision is a surgical procedure that removes foreskin from the penis. Foreskin is the fold of skin that covers the tip of the penis of an uncircumcised male.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), scientific evidence shows some potential medical benefits of male circumcision. Possible benefits include a lower risk of urinary tract infections, penile cancer, and sexually transmitted diseases. On the other hand, there is a possibility that the infant will experience pain, and there is a low risk of bleeding or infection. The AAP states that the health benefits of newborn male circumcision justify access to the procedure for those families who choose it.

Parents and families should start thinking about circumcision before the infant is born. To make an informed choice, parents of all male infants should be given accurate information about the potential risks and benefits of the procedure. They should also have an opportunity to discuss the decision with health care providers.

If the parents decide to have their son circumcised, the procedure usually is performed in the first 48 hours after birth, before discharge from the hospital. Some boys are circumcised in the first few days after birth at home as part of religious or cultural traditions. Some form of pain relief, such as a numbing cream, can be used to minimize the discomfort of circumcision.

Preterm infants (born before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy) and infants born with health problems should not be circumcised until their condition is stable.

Parents and caregivers should follow advice from their infant's health care provider about how to care for the penis as it heals from a circumcision.

If a male infant is not circumcised, the parent or caregiver can wash the penis with soap and water without pulling back (retracting) the foreskin. A newborn's foreskin may not retract completely. Over time it retracts on its own.

The possible medical benefits of circumcision include

• A lower risk of HIV
• A slightly lower risk of other sexually transmitted diseases
• A slightly lower risk of urinary tract infections and penile cancer. However, these are both rare in all males.

The risks of circumcision include

• A low risk of bleeding or infection
• Pain. AAP suggests that providers use pain medicines to reduce pain from circumcision.

The AAP does not recommend routine circumcision. However, they said that because of the possible benefits, parents should have the option to circumcise their sons if they want to. They recommend that parents discuss circumcision with their baby's health care provider. Parents should make their decision based on the benefits and risks, as well as their own religious, cultural, and personal preferences.

If you have a baby boy, you likely will be asked whether you want him to be circumcised. Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin, which is the skin that covers the tip of the penis. It's a good idea to think about this before going into labor because it is often offered before a new baby leaves the hospital.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend routine circumcision because the medical benefits do not outweigh the risks. But parents also need to consider their religious, cultural, and personal preferences when making the choice to circumcise their son.

There are medical benefits and risks to circumcision. Possible benefits include:

• A lower risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Keep in mind that UTIs affect only 1 percent or less of men who are not circumcised.
• A lower risk of penile cancer. Keep in mind that penile cancer is very rare in both men who are or are not circumcised.
• A possible lower risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Keep in mind that practicing safe sex, including using a condom, is the best protection against STIs.

The risks of circumcision include:

• Pain. If you decide to have your baby circumcised, you can ask that a numbing medicine be put on your baby's penis to lessen the pain.
• A low risk of bleeding or infection.

These risks are higher when circumcision is performed on older babies, boys, and men.

Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about the risks or possible benefits.