Incidence of neonatal circumcision in Atlanta, 1985-1986.
We reviewed Atlanta area hospital records to determine the following regarding neonatal circumcision: incidence in July 1985; incidence after publicized serious complications of circumcision in August 1985; medical record documentation; and the complication rate. After stratified sampling from hospital birth logs, we abstracted information from medical charts and calculated weighted estimates and P values. The circumcision incidence was 89.3% in July 1985, 87.5% in September 1985, and 84.3% in September 1986. Circumcision was recorded on the medical record face sheet for 84.3% of circumcised boys. The complication rate was 3.1%; no serious complications were recorded. We conclude the following: circumcision incidence was high during the study period; publicity regarding adverse outcomes may have decreased the subsequent incidence of the procedure; hospital discharge data, which rely on medical record face sheet information, underestimate the true incidence of neonatal circumcision; and neonatal circumcision is usually safe, but serious complications may occur.
O'Brien
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National Center for Environmental Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Ga., USA.
Calle
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Poole
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D000328:Adult; D002944:Circumcision, Male / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006742:Hospital Bed Capacity; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D012067:Religion; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors