RACP Position Statement on Circumcision of Infant Males

In 2022 the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) issued a position statement regarding the circumcision of infant males. USANZ endorsed this statement.

The introduction to the document states: "The procedure of circumcision in a male refers to the surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis. This position statement relates to circumcision of male infants, which is defined as males in the first 12 months of life – the infant period, with a focus on the newborn period – the first 28 days of life. This position statement does not relate to males beyond the infant period or circumcision/genital mutilation/cutting of females. This position statement is provided as a guide to medical practitioners for assisting parents in decision-making. The infant’s best interests are to be always maintained. This position statement has been developed after a review and evaluation of the medical and scientific literature and evidence. This review noted that the overall quality of published papers regarding circumcision in infant males is low. This is due to several reasons, including the ethical considerations of research on infants, the inability for trials to be blinded and sensitivities in this subject area. If circumcision in an infant male is performed, it must be performed in appropriately resourced facilities with adequate analgesia and anaesthesia. It is critical that the medical practitioner performing the circumcision in infant males have appropriate qualifications, skills, training, and recent experience. The procedure must be performed in an appropriate setting that can deal with the age group and comorbidities of the infant."

Download the RACP Guidelines on the Circumcision of Infant Males.