Child suffers extreme damage to penis during circumcision

Case Overview

This case involves a newborn male infant who was the result of a healthy pregnancy and an uncomplicated vaginal delivery. The patient was born full-term and weighed 8 pounds 2 ounces. Physical examination and testing in the neonatal period did not reveal any health problems. At six weeks-old the patient was brought to a pediatrician’s office for to undergo an elective circumcision for religious reasons. The surgery was conducted using a plastibell device. The treating pediatrician forcefully removed the ring during the procedure causing trauma to the penis. This resulted in an extreme bending of the penile shaft, a highly pigmented scar and significant loss of tissue at the glans and shaft at the tip of the penis. The patient required additional surgery, including a degloving procedure to attempt to correct the damage now suffers significant loss of tissue and long-term loss of function as a result of the initial surgery.

Questions to the Child Abuse and Neglect expert and their responses

Can you discuss from a psychiatric perspective, the amount of projected social damage and distress this individual is expected to sustain due to a lack of a normal appearing and normal functioning penis?

As for social damage and distress in this case, it could be very profound. This type of injury would be comparable to a young female having her face severely disfigured. In my experience, many young men would prefer severe injuries to other parts of their bodies, even amputations over loss of penile function. This may have a significant impact on his self-esteem, his sense of masculinity, and his future relationships. This child may also suffer medical PTSD should he requires further corrective procedures in the future.

About the expert

This double board certified expert has been practicing for more than a decade. Fellowship trained in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, this expert is currently an Associate Professor in the Child and Adolescent Division of a major medical university. He also serves as a Child Psychiatrist as well as the Director of Child Psychiatric Consultation Services at the same institution. This expert has experience with a very similar case and is highly qualified to assess the amount of projected social damage and distress that the plaintiff may face.

E-007082

Specialties:

Child Abuse and Neglect