CIRCUMCISION LINKED TO SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME

A new study from the UK shows what many medical practitioners have long suspected: that there is a correlation between the stress imposed on a child at birth, and the incidence of SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, once called crib death. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Research, collated latitudinal data from 15 countries and 40 US states during a four-year period, 2009 to 2013.

It is well known that SIDS is more common among males than females. The working theory is that a substantial trauma like male neonatal circumcision, which is often performed without any, or woefully ineffective anesthesia, and no follow-up analgesia, adds to the infant’s stress level, or ‘allostatic load.’ As the author notes: “The allostatic load hypothesis posits that SIDS is the result of cumulative perinatal painful, stressful, or traumatic exposures that tax neonatal regulatory systems. “

The authors drew an unusually stark conclusion, with an unequivocal recommendation:

“Preterm birth and neonatal circumcision are associated with a greater risk of SIDS, and efforts should be focused on reducing their rates.”

D.O.C hope that this study is broadcast to their members by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and fully disclosed to all families inquiring about the losses and risks of male circumcision.

An abstract of the heavily documented study is available here, and a pre-print epub download is available here. A previous publication by the same author describing the “wear and tear” hypothesis of SIDS is available here.

CITATION: Elhaik E. Neonatal circumcision and prematurity are associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). J Clin Transl Res. 2018;4(2):5.

See also the January 11, 2019 article on this study, published in The Conversation.