The authors found that it could reduce risk for STIs in men.
The AAP’s current policy on circumcision states that the evidence of medical benefit is insufficient to recommend routine circumcision of newborn boys. To examine the relation between circumcision status and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), investigators in New Zealand analyzed longitudinal data from a birth cohort of 510 males who were followed to age 25; 154 were circumcised.
At ages 18 to 21 and 21 to 25 years, men who were not circumcised were significantly more likely than men who were circumcised to self-report histories of STIs. For example, 8.5% of uncircumcised men versus 3.4% of circumcised men reported STIs at ages 21 to 25. After controlling for potential confounding variables, uncircumcised men were 3.19 times more likely to have STIs between age 18 and 25.
Comment: These data, which suggest that circumcision provides substantial protection against acquiring STIs in men, will fuel the debate about the merits of circumcision. Currently, researchers are conducting randomized clinical trials to determine whether circumcision protects against HIV infection; presumably, other STIs will be included as outcomes.
— Howard Bauchner, MD
Published in Journal Watch Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine December 6, 2006
Citation(s):
Fergusson DM et al. Circumcision status and risk of sexually transmitted infection in young adult males: An analysis of a longitudinal birth cohort. Pediatrics 2006 Nov; 118:1971-7.