Educating parents is important, but I suspect that if American physicians organizations published policies that advocated leaving children genitally intact then circumcision rates would fall dramatically and quickly. #i2
-
-
Replying to @IntactByDefault @chadhayesmd and
From many data points I've heard that while in a hospital mothers are often asked multiple times if they want a circumcision done, after previous answers were "No". Imagine the results if there was no solicitation.
#i21 reply 0 retweets 5 likes -
I've spent fair amount of time in hospitals and can tell you that--at least there--even when parents are informed that there are essentially no medical benefits and that the procedure has risks, the vast majority of them still choose to go through with the procedure.
3 replies 0 retweets 1 like -
Replying to @chadhayesmd @IntactByDefault and
They may be asked multiple times not because of some nefarious plot to circumcise all the babies, but rather because there are multiple care providers, most male babies born there get circumcised, and they want to make sure it happens if the parents desire. Just a thought.
5 replies 0 retweets 2 likes -
"They want to make sure it happens if the parents desire" is not the usual standard for non-therapeutic interventions. "Want to make sure it happens if it's in the child's best interest" is the usual, more appropriate standard. Soliciting has the effect of promoting.
#i21 reply 0 retweets 3 likes -
I've had parents ask in the delivery room if the baby was circumcised yet. "No, but he's breathing." If it's not offered, they still ask. Some may be on the fence, but at least where I've practiced, the parents have pretty strong opinions (even if they don't know why).
4 replies 1 retweet 2 likes -
That's quite the anecdote. Statistic I found is 72% in South Carolina (in 2013). 50% in North Carolina (same year). Varies widely by state (and region). Highest West Virginia 91%, lowest Washington and Nevada at 10%.
#i21 reply 0 retweets 0 likes -
I suspect that if you were to visit hospitals WV and WA, you'd find significant differences in how (or if) the question is asked. But I'm saying the causality might be reversed. There are other differences there, and I think it's likely that hospitals reflect the culture.
3 replies 0 retweets 0 likes -
Replying to @chadhayesmd @IntactByDefault and
If the question were,"can I cut my daughter?" - even just a pinprick - your answer would be no. If you were asked again, you'd just repeat your "no" as many times as needed. Doctors started medicalized circumcision. Doctors have an ethical duty to end it.https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/denmarks-29000-doctors-declare-circumcision-of-healthy_us_58753ec1e4b08052400ee6b3 …
1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes -
Replying to @cooney21 @IntactByDefault and
It's a conversation that we should have. It's not as simple in the US because circumcision rates are far higher than in many other countries and it's become the norm in many places.
1 reply 0 retweets 1 like
Agreed. The conversation should ask questions like "how can the benefits outweigh the risks when 'the true incidence of complications after newborn circumcision is unknown'?" B/c @AmerAcadPeds has no credible answers, its #circumcision policy should be retired #tweetiatrician #i2
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.