Overwhelming Infection with Group B β-Hemolytic Streptococcus Associated with Circumcision

Abstract

The lack of valid medical indications has caused routine neonatal circumcision to fall into disrepute in recent years.^1-3 However, despite the substantial arguments against continuation of this therapy, it still ranks as one of the most common surgical procedures.^3,4

Significant infection is rarely solely attributed to circumcision because a clear-cut cause and effect relationship is difficult to establish. There have been reports^5-7 of newborns who have been circumcised and then developed life-threatening infection within several days of this procedure. However, the fact that in these infants infection has occurred at an age when the incidence of infection is high due to other factors complicates interpretation of these reports.