Links to AAP or studies citing when boys begin retracting?

[anne1140]

Hello,

My son is 15 months and intact. At his 12 month well baby visit, the doctor tried to pull back his foreskin a little to see if it was retractable. (This is a new doctor. We moved recently. The old one never tried to do anything to his penis other than check for descended testicles.) He said that it should be retractable by now, and if it's not by 15 months (or 2 years, can't remember which), he would recommend a urologist for steroid cream. Now, I know this is completely incorrect on two fronts. First, he's not supposed to be touching my son's foreskin. Second, I know it can take until puberty to be retractable. I should have said something, but I suffered from the doctor intimidation factor. I'm determined to speak up at this appointment.

However, I don't just want it to be my word against his. I would like to have information to back this up if he protests. Do any of you know of links to studies or the AAP stating 1. not to retract and 2. that retraction doesn't have to happen until they are older? I know that's a widely held misconception. Even Dr. Sears says in his book that boys should be retractable by 2. 

Please know that if this appointment doesn't work out, we will be switching doctors. I just wanted to give him another chance and not have to go through the hassle if we don't have to. 

[abigail_b]

I am looking for the same thing. I read a study once- I thought I got to it through Mothering- that demonstrated that it is very normal for boys to not retract until they are older...many not even until they are age 8. My son is almost 6 and not really retracting yet. I was hoping to come here and find the study....
 

[abigail_b]

Okay I found reference to the studies I was speaking of. http://www.thewholenetwork.org/14/post/2011/08/the-development-of-foreskin-retraction.html  In many cases it doesn't even happen until puberty.

Dr. Sears info was outdated and based on a flawed study. Don't let them force you into anything! The article I linked to has tons of citations, so you should be able to get what you need for your appointment.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Here are several links I have on retraction age. Good luck with the Dr.


Age of retraction: http://www.cirp.org/library/complications/vanhowe/
10.5 age http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/pdf/2008-03retractileforeskinleaflet.pdf
http://www.cirp.org/pages/parents/peron1/

[Greg B]

Your doctor is wrong.  Giving you bad medical advice. 

Here is one more worth reading:

http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/info/info-forcedretraction.html

Regards

[brant31]

The new AAP statement on male circumcision, released today after 5 years of careful study, declares confidently (on page 9 of 31) that the normal adhesions between foreskin and glans resolve spontaneously in most boys by age 2 to 4 months and you can start cleaning the glans then daily with soap.

The report also declares that a moist glans is a marker for poor penile hygiene, and that the foreskin traps moisture. They cite no studies for this and then emphasize that the relationship between penile wetness and thorough washing of the penis is unclear so their comments should not be taken to generalize about the population at large. They did, however, call the foreskin "a reservoir for bacteria that cause sexually transmitted infections".

Isn't it good to know the AAP is on top of these things?

[mama24-7]

Originally Posted by brant31 

The new AAP statement on male circumcision, released today after 5 years of careful study, declares confidently (on page 9 of 31) that the normal adhesions between foreskin and glans resolve spontaneously in most boys by age 2 to 4 months and you can start cleaning the glans then daily with soap.

The report also declares that a moist glans is a marker for poor penile hygiene, and that the foreskin traps moisture. They cite no studies for this and then emphasize that the relationship between penile wetness and thorough washing of the penis is unclear so their comments should not be taken to generalize about the population at large. They did, however, call the foreskin "a reservoir for bacteria that cause sexually transmitted infections".

Isn't it good to know the AAP is on top of these things?

I feel like all of this is a joke, that that's the only logical explanation for it all.  What other body parts could they demonize & not be laughed at by all?  Sick.  Just plain sick.

Sus

[japonica]

Originally Posted by brant31 

The new AAP statement on male circumcision, released today after 5 years of careful study, declares confidently (on page 9 of 31) that the normal adhesions between foreskin and glans resolve spontaneously in most boys by age 2 to 4 months and you can start cleaning the glans then daily with soap.

 

I see the next generation's round of "my uncle was intact but had to be circed later in life" stories because of parents who follow this advice.

Edited to add...our mouths are also constantly moist, a reservoir for bacteria, and can spread infections. What do they recommend we do about that? Tongue removal? Teeth extraction?