The incidence of complications in newborn circumcisions is estimated to be 2-6/1000 (0.2 to 0.6 percent). Most of these are minor (bleeding or infection). There are rare reports of devastating injury, but this has only been reported in a handful of cases. The exact number of circumcisions performed in the U.S. is difficult to determine, but estimates range from 46 to 89 percent of all American boys are circumcised. There are benefits to circumcision -- fewer urinary tract infections in the first six weeks of life, lower risk of acquiring AIDS, reduced risk of cervical cancer in future sexual partners -- but these also are rare. Studies have shown that, although circumcision is not required for cleanliness, uncircumcised boys have a tendency to have more problems associated with poor cleaning.

In the end, I advise my patients of the risks and benefits, but tell them that I can't make a medically-based recommendation. It largely has to do with social issues: Is Dad or Brother circumcised? How would he feel in the locker room in later years if he's "different"? Are there religious issues?

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