American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Circumcision Policy 2001

Journal  Obstetrics & Gynecology, Volume 98, Issue 4, Pages 707-708. October 2001.

ACOG Committee
Opinion Number 260

Circumcision

Circumcision Reference Library Summary

CIRP logo Note:

ACOG has not placed the actual text of their circumcision policy online. It is available on their website only to their members. Therefore, the Circumcision Reference Library has prepared this interpretation of ACOG's position, for readers who do not have access to a medical library.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) released a position statement on neonatal circumcision, identified as ACOG Committee Opinion Number 260, in October, 2001. The statement may be summarized as follows:

Lack of medical value. The statement affirms ACOG's agreement with and support of the 1999 American Academy of Pediatrics Circumcision Policy Statement. From this it is clear that ACOG cannot and does not recommend elective non-therapeutic circumcision of infant boys for medical reasons or for any other reason.

Complications. ACOG admits that common complications are local infections and bleeding, but fails to state that death may result therefrom. The statement does not mention surgical mishaps, which may result in serious injury.

Pain. Good ethical medical practice requires use of anesthetic agents if a circumcision is to be performed. The pain of circumcision is intense, excruciating, and longlasting. According to a recent External link study, 75% of U.S. obstetricians (ACOG members) do not use any anesthesia for neonatal circumcision. ACOG admits that infants feel pain when someone is circumcising them. ACOG further admits that sucrose and acetominophen are medication for this operation.

Informed consent. ACOG advises its members that parents (plural) should be given about circumcision. Even though ACOG does not recommend circumcision because of its lack of medical value, ACOG states that only infants who are already healthy and stable should be subjected to circumcision.

Reference. The complete original statement, which is brief, may be viewed in a medical library. The citation for the ACOG statement is:

Citation:

The Circumcision Information and Resource Pages are a not-for-profit educational resource and library. IntactiWiki hosts this website but is not responsible for the content of this site. CIRP makes documents available without charge, for informational purposes only. The contents of this site are not intended to replace the professional medical or legal advice of a licensed practitioner.

Top  © CIRP.org 1996-2024 | Filetree | Please visit our sponsor and host: External link IntactiWiki.