National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Circumcision is the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
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National Institutes of Health
Circumcision
Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin, which is the skin that covers the tip of the penis. In the United States, it is often done before a new baby leaves the hospital. There are medical benefits and risks to circumcision. Possible benefits include a lower risk of urinary tract infections, penile cancer and sexually transmitted diseases. The risks include pain and a low risk of bleeding or infection.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) found that the medical benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks. They recommend that parents make this decision in consultation with their pediatrician. Parents need to decide what is best for their sons, based on their religious, cultural and personal preferences.
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- Circumcision(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Also available in Spanish
- Circumcision(Nemours Foundation)
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Overviews
- Circumcision(American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Circumcision(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Circumcision in Baby Boys (Beyond the Basics)(UpToDate)
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Latest News
- Study May Explain How Circumcision Reduces HIV Risk(04/16/2013, HealthDay)
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Rehabilitation/Recovery
- Circumcision Care(InteliHealth, Harvard Medical School)
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Related Issues
- Uncircumcised Penis: Is Special Care Needed?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Pictures & Photographs
- Circumcision - slideshow
- Also available in Spanish
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Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Circumcision(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Circumcision
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
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Organizations
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Patient Handouts
- Circumcision
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