Why Desired Newborn Circumcisions Are Not Performed: A Survey

Objective To identify why parents who want their child circumcised do not have them circumcised before the window for newborn circumcision (NBC) closes. We evaluate many patients in our pediatric urology clinic for circumcision in the operating room, which is associated with increased inconvenience, morbidity, and cost. Methods From 2010 to 2013 we surveyed 53 parents seeking NBC for their sons less than 1 month old. We surveyed a second group of 51 parents with sons between 1 month and 2 years old seeking operating room circumcision. Both groups were asked why NBC was not performed in the hospital. Results From the 104 parents surveyed, the primary reasons NBC was not performed in both groups were that the hospital did not offer or provide NBC (23% in the younger group and 20% in the older group) and that the provider who does NBC was not available or able prior to discharge (21% in the younger group and 20% in the older group). Ineffective communication delayed NBC in 26% of the younger group and 9% of the older group. Health problems delayed NBC in 8% of the younger group and 30% of the older group. NBC was only delayed due to parent indecision in 2% of responses in the younger group and 6% in the older group. Conclusion Inadequate healthcare system preparation, resources, and communication are the primary reasons NBC is delayed. More work to streamline the process for desired NBC is needed.