Newborn Circumcision Side Effects and Warnings

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have your son circumcised, your doctor will review a list of possible complications which may include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Reaction to drugs used for anesthesia
• Unsatisfactory cosmetic outcome
• Decreased penile sensation
• Damage to the tip of the penis

Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Infants with bleeding disorders
• Infants with a family history of bleeding disorders
• Infants whose mothers were taking blood thinners during pregnancy
• Infants with penile deformities whose foreskin may be needed to repair the deformity
• Premature infants
• Infants with infections or serious jaundice at the time of the circumcision

Call Your Doctor

After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• You find a bloodstain larger than the size of a quarter on the baby's diaper
• The Plastibell device has not fallen off within 10 days
• The penis or the area of the incision appears red, swollen, hot to the touch, or is oozing a yellowish discharge
• The baby develops a fever or appears to be in pain
• The baby does not have a wet diaper within 6–8 hours of the procedure
• The head of the penis appears blue or black

If you think you have an emergency, call 911.