Non-therapeutic infant male circumcision

Abstract

Objectives:To review the evidence of the benefits and harms of infant male circumcision, and the legal and ethical perspectives of infant male circumcision.Methods:We conducted a systematic search of the literature using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library up to June 2015. We searched the medical law literature using the Westlaw and Lexis Library law literature resources up to June 2015.Results:Male circumcision significantly reduced the risk of urinary tract infections by 87%. It also significantly reduced transmission of human immunodeficiency virus among circumcised men by 70%. Childhood and adolescent circumcision is associated with a 66% reduction in the risk of penile cancer. Circumcision was associated with 43% reduction of human papilloma virus infection, and 58% reduction in the risk of cervical cancer among women with circumcised partners compared with women with uncircumcised partners. Male infant circumcision reduced the risk of foreskin inflammation by 68%.Conclusion:Infant male circumcision should continue to be allowed all over the world, as long as it is approved by both parents, and performed in facilities that can provide appropriate sterilization, wound care, and anesthesia. Under these conditions, the benefits of infant male circumcision outweigh the rare and generally minor potential harms of the procedure.

Cancer in adolescents and young adults living with HIV

“…A relatively high proportion of hrHPV types in young women in SSA, are not covered by currently available HPV vaccines [31,50] which supports early initiation of cervical screening for all sexually active women living with HIV irrespective of age as recommended by WHO and ASCO [48,51]. A study from Saudi Arabia showed that male circumcision may play role in reduction of HPV infection, penile cancers and cervical cancer among women with circumcised partners [52]. Screening for anal cancers is not routinely recommended, although some experts suggest that this might be effective [53,54].…”

Human foreskin fibroblasts: from waste bag to important biomedical applications

“…1 In view of the high prevalence of circumcision worldwide, where it is estimated that one-third of men are circumcised, preputial skin removed during surgery is widely available and is generally discarded as biological waste. 2 However, other biological materials discarded constantly after surgical procedures have shown their relevance for therapeutic applications in various research areas. Among them are the collection of adult dental pulp stem cells, 3 the use of amniotic membrane as a support for skin substitutes 4 and the procurement of umbilical cord and placenta hematopoietic stem cells.…”

Non-therapeutic infant male circumcision. evidence, ethics and international law perspective

“…I have read Dr. Alkhenizan and Dr. Elabd systematic review on circumcision 1 in its entirety and with great interest. A narrative overview to gather evidence from previous secondary literature into an accessible and usable document is useful to aid healthcare practitioner 2 and I wish there will be more literature in an overview format to aid healthcare practitioners.…”

“…Among his claims are that circumcision is unethical and unlawful and that there are no reduction of human papilloma virus among circumcised individuals 6 as opposed to your review which showed a 43 % reduction. 1 In light of your current review, what are the merits or claims of the above contrarian view? Is there any validity to such a claim?…”

“…We based our findings on a large systematic review including 21 studies including more than 14000 participants. 1 Based on this large systematic review, circumcision was associated with 43% reduction of human papilloma virus infection. 7 Finally, all Muslim scholars agree that male circumcision is permissible; however, majority of Muslim scholars have the opinion that male circumcision is mandatory, details regarding this is available in formal Islamic Fiqh (jurisprudence) books.…”