Circumcision Increases MRSA Risk

The National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers (known as NOCIRC) released a warning last week regarding the increased risk of MRSA for newborn boys who are circumcised.

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus also known as the "Super Bug". Staphylococcus is a bacterial staph infection. MRSA is much harder to treat as it's immune to most antibiotic treatments. MRSA can be deadly and has been referred to the flesh eating disease in regards to how it attacks the tissues of the body.

MRSA tends to be found in hospital settings and occasionally clinics and outpatient Doctor's offices. Often, health care workers are carriers which can be highly dangerous as they come in contact with patients who have compromised immune systems every time they go to work.

MRSA has spread quickly and new strains have developed so that it's reached the community on a bigger level. This is known as CA-MRSA or community MRSA which has begun replacing ordinary treatable staph infections. The CA-MRSA is then brought into hospitals by employees, patients and visitors and spread thus further.

Newborns in nurseries, particularly NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Units) are at great risk of complications and even death when infected by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. For comparison, MRSA death rates are 1.5 times higher per year than HIV. That's a lot of tragedies that could possibly be avoided.

Boys who are circumcised now have a 12 times higher risk of contracting MRSA than those who are left intact. Newborns immune systems are developing and immature in many aspects. Once they have an open wound, the risk is that much higher.

Circumcisions are often done in hospitals where MRSA circulates. Surgical tools are used for the procedure and while they are hopefully adequately sanitized, the increased chance of bacteria entering a fresh opening into the body makes MRSA more likely to invade.

Newly circumcised boys are also at a greater risk of catching MRSA once they are at home as they are still healing and mothers and other family members/visitors can carry the bacteria in their skin and nose without knowing.

The CDC Center for Disease Control recently released a statement saying that MRSA is a "major public health problem". Steps to decrease it's circulation and mutation should be taken seriously. Just as HIV outbreak was publicized in the 1980's, MRSA is an increased threat in the 21st century.

Circumcision is an elective procedure some parents decide to have done when having a baby boy. It is known to be a cosmetic procedure with risks and pain associated. Currently the average cirumcision rate has dropped down to 41% overall amongst baby boys born in North America. In states such as California the rate is much lower at half that.

The majority of circumcisions are done in hospital settings with a small amount done in pediatricians or family practice clinics as well as some done in relgious settings.

The increased risk of MRSA is something all parents should consider before their baby's birth, particularily if they are having a baby boy and are questioning circumcision.

Sources: NoCirc. "MRSA deaths in US exceed AIDS deaths: Circumcision a culprit" International Coalition for Genital Integrity
http://www.icgi.org/