Newborn and Pediatric Circumcision
Circumcision is a safe, routine procedure that removes the foreskin, the skin covering the head of the penis. Families and adults across BC choose it for health and hygiene, to treat a medical condition, or for religious, cultural, or personal reasons. At Fulcrum Health, experienced clinicians provide comfortable circumcision for newborns, children, teens and adults, starting with a consultation to answer your questions and plan the right care for you or your child.
Book now
Newborn and Pediatric Circumcision in Vancouver
Newborn circumcision is a short procedure that removes the foreskin, the skin covering the head of the penis. About one in three newborn boys in Canada is circumcised.¹ At Fulcrum Health, Dr. Dewan, who completed circumcision training at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, performs infant and pediatric circumcision following Canadian guidelines for pain relief and safety. Our South Vancouver clinic is steps from Marine Drive Station, with evening and weekend appointments available.
SickKids-Trained Circumcision Care in Vancouver
The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends that families who choose circumcision see a practitioner trained in the procedure.¹ Dr. Dewan completed circumcision training at SickKids, one of Canada’s leading children’s hospitals. Every procedure uses the anaesthesia approach that Canadian urology guidelines rate most effective, and every baby is screened carefully beforehand.²
What Is Newborn Circumcision?
Newborn (neonatal) circumcision is done in the first weeks of life. Infant circumcision covers the first year, and pediatric circumcision includes older children and teens. Families choose it for religious, cultural, health, or personal reasons. The procedure is permanent, so the decision deserves clear information and time.
Cultural and Religious Circumcision for Babies and Children
For many families, circumcision is an important part of their faith or heritage:
- Brit milah (bris): In Judaism, circumcision is a covenant traditionally performed on the eighth day of life.
- Khitan (khatna): In Islam, circumcision is a widely observed tradition. Timing varies by family and community, from infancy to later childhood.
- Tuli: In the Philippines, circumcision is a common rite of passage, traditionally done around the pre-teen or early teen years.
We provide the medical procedure in a clinical setting. If your tradition includes a religious ceremony or blessing, we’re happy to discuss timing so it can be arranged with your community or religious leader.
Making an Informed Choice for Your Son
Canada’s pediatric and urology societies do not recommend routine circumcision for every newborn boy, but they support parents in making an informed decision based on their child’s health and their family’s values.¹ ² At your consultation, we explain how the benefits and risks apply to your son, so you can decide with confidence.
Evidence-based benefits include:
- Fewer urinary tract infections in early childhood. The benefit is strongest for higher-risk babies. Canadian urologists recommend discussing circumcision with parents of babies who have significant prenatal kidney swelling (hydronephrosis) or posterior urethral valves.² ³
- **A lower risk of penile cancer later in life.**²
- No foreskin problems later on in life, such as phimosis, paraphimosis, or balanitis.¹
Complications are uncommon. Canadian urologists report complication rates of about 0.6% to 2% for newborn circumcision, most of them minor, such as light bleeding or infection.²
What Is the Best Age for Baby Circumcision?
Infancy is the safest and simplest time. A US study of 1.4 million circumcisions found adverse events in about 0.4% of boys circumcised as infants, compared with about 9% of boys circumcised between ages 1 and 9.⁴ A systematic review found the same pattern: more complications in older children than in newborns and infants.⁵ The Canadian Urological Association also lists age as a factor in complication rates.²
Is it ever too late to circumcise a baby? No. Circumcision can be done at any age, but after early infancy it usually needs a different technique and setting, often with general anaesthesia, and recovery can take longer. Dr. Dewan performs circumcision for all ages, including adults.
Circumcision Techniques for Newborns, Children, and Teens
The right technique depends mainly on your child’s age.
Newborns and Young Infants
Newborn circumcision is usually done while the baby is awake, using local anaesthetic and a sterile clamp or device.⁶ Common techniques include:
- Plastibell. A small plastic ring is placed over the head of the penis and the foreskin is removed. There are no stitches, and the ring falls off on its own, usually within 5 to 7 days.⁷
- Gomco clamp. A metal bell and clamp protect the head of the penis while the foreskin is removed. The clamp comes off at the same visit, so no ring is left behind.
- Mogen clamp. A flat metal clamp holds the foreskin while it is removed. The procedure is very quick, and nothing is left in place afterward.
Older Infants and Young Children
Once babies grow past the newborn stage, device-based methods become less suitable. Circumcision is usually done as a surgical procedure: the foreskin is removed and the edges are closed with dissolvable stitches. For young children, this is typically done under general anaesthesia in a surgical setting, with a nerve block for pain relief afterward.⁸
Pre-Teens and Teens
Older boys and teens can choose between two techniques.
- Conventional surgical circumcision. The foreskin is removed and the edges are closed with dissolvable stitches. Depending on age, maturity, and comfort, it is done under local anaesthesia (a penile nerve block) or general anaesthesia.
- ShangRing circumcision (ages 13 and up). The ShangRing is a sterile, single-use device made of two plastic rings that clamp the foreskin, so no stitches are needed. It is done under local anaesthesia, and the ring is removed at a follow-up visit about one week later. The World Health Organization prequalified the ShangRing in 2015 as safe and effective for males aged 13 and older.⁹ In a large Kenyan rollout of more than 1,000 procedures, the adverse event rate was 0.3%, and all devices were removed between days 5 and 11.¹⁰
Teens are included in the decision, and we explain recovery, activity limits, and follow-up in an age-appropriate way.
When Circumcision Should Be Delayed or Referred
Canadian guidelines advise that newborn circumcision be done only in stable babies without differences in the anatomy of the penis.² We check every baby first. Circumcision may need to be postponed or referred if your baby:
- Was born prematurely or is unwell
- Has hypospadias or another difference in the penis, since the foreskin may be needed for future repair²
- Has a known or family history of bleeding disorders. A Toronto review found that most babies admitted for serious bleeding after circumcision had an undiagnosed bleeding disorder, which is why we screen first.¹¹
- Has significant jaundice, or did not receive vitamin K at birth
Circumcision for Older Children
For an older boy, the visit starts with an assessment, not surgery. At birth, the foreskin is attached to the head of the penis, and it separates on its own over several years.² About half of 7-year-olds can’t fully retract their foreskin, and fewer than 10% still can’t by age 13.¹² Never force it back, as this can cause scarring.²
See a clinician if there is:
- Scarring of the foreskin
- Repeated inflammation or urinary infections
- A foreskin that still won’t retract after about age 8 to 10²
Canadian guidelines recommend steroid cream as first-line treatment for a tight foreskin, with success rates of 60% to 80%.² If circumcision is the right choice, we explain the setting, anaesthesia, and recovery, and involve your child in an age-appropriate way.
How Painful Is Circumcision for a Newborn?
Newborns feel pain, so proper anaesthesia is essential. The Canadian Urological Association’s strongest recommendation (Grade A) is a dorsal penile nerve block combined with a ring block. These local anaesthetic injections at the base of the penis are the most effective pain relief for newborn circumcision.² ¹³ Numbing cream, sugar water, and feeding help as extras but aren’t enough on their own.² Dr. Dewan follows this approach for every baby. Most babies settle quickly afterward, and mild fussiness for the first day or two is normal.
Preparing for Your Baby’s Appointment
You’ll receive written preparation instructions before your visit. When you book, let us know:
- Your baby’s age, birth weight, and whether he was born early
- Any health concerns, medications, or allergies
- Whether he received vitamin K at birth
- Any family history of bleeding problems
Don’t change feeding or give any medication unless our team advises it. We’ll confirm who needs to attend and which consent forms to bring.
Newborn Circumcision Recovery and Aftercare
Most babies heal in about 7 to 10 days.¹⁴ At first the penis may look red and swollen, and a yellowish crust may form around the head. Both are a normal part of healing, so don’t wipe the crust away.⁶ ¹⁴
To care for the area:
- Wash your hands before and after touching the circumcision area.⁶
- Apply plenty of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, at every diaper change.⁶
- Follow your clinician’s instructions for the dressing and bathing.
You’ll go home with step-by-step instructions and a direct number for questions.
Call us or seek care right away if your baby:
- Has bleeding that doesn’t stop with gentle pressure
- Hasn’t urinated within 12 hours after the procedure⁶
- Shows signs of infection, such as increasing redness, swelling, or discharge⁶
- Is feeding poorly or seems unwell
Has a fever of 38°C or higher and is under 3 months old. This needs urgent medical assessment.¹⁵
Baby Circumcision Cost in BC
Newborn circumcision for personal, cultural, or religious reasons is generally paid privately in BC. Before you book, you’ll receive a written quote covering the consultation, procedure, pain relief, and follow-up. If circumcision may be medically required, we’ll explain how referral and MSP coverage work.
Book a Pediatric Circumcision Consultation with Dr. Dewan
Fill out the Booking Form and tell us your child’s age and the reason for your visit. We’ll confirm eligibility, walk you through fees, and send your preparation instructions.
Address: 301-470 SW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC V5X 0C7
Phone hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Appointments: Weekday, evening, and weekend times available
References
- Sorokan ST, Finlay JC, Jefferies AL; Canadian Paediatric Society, Fetus and Newborn Committee, Infectious Diseases and Immunization Committee. Newborn male circumcision. Paediatr Child Health. 2015;20(6):311-20. doi:10.1093/pch/20.6.311. PMID: 26435672.
- Dave S, Afshar K, Braga LH, Anderson P. Canadian Urological Association guideline on the care of the normal foreskin and neonatal circumcision in Canadian infants (abridged version). Can Urol Assoc J. 2018;12(2):18-28. doi:10.5489/cuaj.5034. PMID: 29381455.
- Singh-Grewal D, Macdessi J, Craig J. Circumcision for the prevention of urinary tract infection in boys: a systematic review of randomised trials and observational studies. Arch Dis Child. 2005;90(8):853-8. doi:10.1136/adc.2004.049353. PMID: 15890696.
- El Bcheraoui C, Zhang X, Cooper CS, Rose CE, Kilmarx PH, Chen RT. Rates of adverse events associated with male circumcision in U.S. medical settings, 2001 to 2010. JAMA Pediatr. 2014;168(7):625-34. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.5414. PMID: 24820907.
- Weiss HA, Larke N, Halperin D, Schenker I. Complications of circumcision in male neonates, infants and children: a systematic review. BMC Urol. 2010;10:2. doi:10.1186/1471-2490-10-2. PMID: 20158883.
- HealthLinkBC. Circumcision [Internet]. Victoria (BC): Government of British Columbia; [cited 2026 Oct 13]. Available from: https:
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Circumcision: newborn with a Plastibell [Internet]. Columbus (OH): Nationwide Children’s Hospital; [cited 2026 Oct 13]. Available from: https:
- Boisvert-Moreau F, Turcotte B, Albert N, Singbo N, Moore K, Boivin A. Randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing ultrasound-guided pudendal nerve block with ultrasound-guided penile nerve block for analgesia during pediatric circumcision. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2023;48(3):127-33. doi:10.1136/rapm-2022-103785. PMID: 36396298.
- World Health Organization. WHO prequalification of male circumcision devices public report: ShangRing [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2015 [cited 2026 Oct 13]. Available from: https:
- Odoyo-June E, Owuor N, Kassim S, Davis S, Agot K, Serrem K, et al. Rollout of ShangRing circumcision with active surveillance for adverse events and monitoring for uptake in Kenya. PLoS One. 2019;14(9):e0222942. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0222942. PMID: 31557208.
- Schröder A, Farhat WA, Chiasson D, Wilson GJ, Koyle MA. Serious and fatal complications after neonatal circumcision. Eur Urol Focus. 2022;8(5):1560-3. doi:10.1016/j.euf.2021.12.005. PMID: 34973956.
- McLarty R, Kiddoo D. Foreskin care in childhood. CMAJ. 2019;191(13):E365. doi:10.1503/cmaj.180875. PMID: 30936167.
- Brady-Fryer B, Wiebe N, Lander JA. Pain relief for neonatal circumcision. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004;(4):CD004217. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004217.pub2. PMID: 15495086.
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Care after circumcision [Internet]. Columbus (OH): Nationwide Children’s Hospital; [cited 2026 Oct 13]. Available from: https:
- Rourke L, Leduc D, Rourke J. Rourke Baby Record. Fever advice/thermometers [Internet]. [cited 2026 Oct 13]. Available from: https:
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikhil Dewan, MD, CCFP · Last updated: October 13, 2026