Elsevier

The Journal of Pediatrics

Volume 113, Issue 3, September 1988, Pages 442-446
The Journal of Pediatrics

Original article
Effect of circumcision status on periurethral bacterial flora during the first year of life1

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3476(88)80625-5Get rights and content

To determine whether bacterial colonization is a factor in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infection, we compared the periurethral bacterial flora of uncircumcised versus circumcised boys during the first year of life. Intraurethral and circumferential gians cultures were obtained from 25 circumcised and 25 uncircumcised infants at 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 months of age. Different children were used at each age (300 total). The types of bacteria and the total and specific colony counts were compared. The results of the gians cultures were similar to those from the urethra. Uncircumcised boys had significantly higher total colony counts (p<0.003) at all ages except 12 months. Eschirchia coli was present significantly more often (p<0.01) in the urethras of uncircumcised boys at 2 weeks, 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months. Gram-negative uropathogenic organisms (Klebsiella-enterobacter, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were cultured more frequently (p<0.0005) from the urethras of uncircumcised boys at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months. The specific colony counts for E. coli and the other uropathogenic organisms were significantly higher (p<0.05) at all ages except 12 months. We conclude that during the first 6 months of life, the presence of a foreskin is associated with a greater quantity of periurethral bacteria and a greater likelihood for the presence of, as well as higher concentrations of, potentially uropathogenic organisms.

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  • Cited by (0)

    1

    The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense.

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