September 2025 - A new analysis published in JAMA Pediatrics shows that newborn male circumcision (NMC) in U.S. hospitals decreased from 54.1% to 49.3% between 2012 and 2022. The decline was most pronounced among White newborns, while rates for Black and Hispanic infants remained largely stable. The study underscored factors such as parental skepticism, changes in Medicaid coverage, and regional differences as contributing to the trend.
Circumcision trends in the U.S., parental attitudes toward newborn circumcision, and circumcision Medicaid coverage differences by state are influencing these patterns.
Researchers reviewed more than 1.5 million hospitalizations of male neonates aged 0 to 28 days from 2012 to 2022 using data from the Kids’ Inpatient Database. They excluded babies with conditions such as penile abnormalities, prematurity, or bleeding disorders.
Key findings include:
The rate dropped by 5 percentage points overall (from 54.1% to 49.3%) over the study period. 1
Among White newborns, the rate fell from 65.3% in 2012 to 60.0% in 2022.
Rates for Black (64.9% to 66.1%) and Hispanic (21.2% to 21.0%) infants stayed relatively unchanged. 4
Declines appeared across income and insurance groups; infants in high-income ZIP codes and those with private insurance showed larger drops. 4
Extensive research has documented several health benefits associated with male circumcision. A review article in PMC (Tobian & Gray, et al.) outlines multiple advantages. 2
Some confirmed medical benefits include:
Reduced risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in infancy. UTIs are rare in male infants but occur more frequently in uncircumcised boys.
Lower incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Trials in Africa showed adult circumcision reduces heterosexual acquisition of HIV by about 51%-60%; also reduces risk of genital herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), and genital ulcer diseases.
Protection against penile inflammation, phimosis, and balanitis (inflammation of the foreskin and glans) in early life.
Possible reductions in risks to female partners, including lower rates of HPV and bacterial sexually transmitted infections when male partners are circumcised.
Medical bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recognized these benefits and recommend parents be informed.
Though the procedure is commonly considered safe, circumcision carries some risks. According to medical reviews:
Early complications include bleeding, infection, and injury to the penis. These are rare when the procedure is done in hospital settings by trained personnel. 3
Later complications, though uncommon, may include meatal stenosis (narrowing of the urethral opening), skin bridges, or cosmetic issues. 3
There is limited evidence about some benefits in lower-risk settings. For instance, the risk of UTIs in healthy male infants is already low; to prevent one hospitalization for UTI many infants must be circumcised.
Ethical and social factors also play a role: circumcision removes foreskin tissue when the child cannot consent. Some groups debate whether the benefits justify performing a non-therapeutic surgery in infancy.
Experts and researchers point to several reasons for declining rates:
Parental skepticism about medical recommendations has increased. Trust in medical advice appears to have decreased among certain populations. 1
Changes in insurance coverage, especially Medicaid policies. Some states stopped covering neonatal circumcision, creating financial barriers for low-income families. 1
Cultural, ethical, or personal value shifts, where parents weigh non-medical concerns such as consent, bodily autonomy, and procedure discomfort. 1
The decline in neonatal circumcision rates does not by itself indicate reduced health. Many parents who opt against it may instead focus on hygiene and regular medical care, which can help reduce some risks.
Ultimately, circumcision remains a personal choice, and parents are encouraged to weigh medical evidence, cultural values, and ethical considerations when deciding.
Yang, Ping; Xianming Zhu; Eshan U. Patel; Thomas C. Quinn; Mary K. Grabowski; Aaron A. R. Tobian. “Trends in Circumcision Among Newborn Males in the US.” JAMA Pediatrics, published online September 15, 2025. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2838312
Tobian, Aaron A. R., and Ronald H. Gray, et al. “The Medical Benefits of Male Circumcision.” PMC, 2011. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/ PMC3684945/
American Urological Association. “Circumcision.” AUA statements on neonatal circumcision risks and benefits. https://www.auanet.org/about-us/aua-statements/circumcision
Johns Hopkins Medicine. “Newborn Male Circumcision Rates in U.S. Dropped Between 2012 and 2022.” Press release, September 15, 2025. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/2025/09/johns-hopkins-study-newborn-male-circumcision-rates-in-us-dropped-between-2012-and-2022
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