Should hemophiliac patients be circumcised?

Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2000 Mar;17(2):149-53. doi: 10.1080/088800100276505.

Abstract

Social and cultural integration of hemophilic boys into society is one of the most important cornerstones of modern hemophilia therapy. Circumcision, a traditional procedure, is an important ritual for Muslims and Jews and an important social problem for the hemophiliac patient and his family. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychosocial dimension of circumcision and the opinions of parents and children. A total of 105 hemophiliac patients and parents were interviewed and surveyed. Of these, 94% of the parents of uncircumcised patients wanted circumcision for their children. Most parents saw circumcision as a mandatory procedure. Hemophilic boys (60%) and their parents (82%) have an inferiority complex because the boys are unable to be circumcised. Bleeding risk is the primary reason of anxiety (70%). The parents of all the circumcised patients were happy after circumcision. In conclusion, circumcision is an important social problem of hemophilic patients that needs to be solved.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Circumcision, Male / adverse effects*
  • Circumcision, Male / psychology*
  • Data Collection
  • Family Relations
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Hemophilia A / psychology
  • Hemophilia A / surgery*
  • Hemophilia B / psychology
  • Hemophilia B / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Religion
  • Social Support
  • Turkey
  • von Willebrand Diseases / psychology
  • von Willebrand Diseases / surgery