Circumcision Circumspection

Historically, infants undergoing circumcision have not been given analgesia. The rationale was that infants do not feel, localize, or remember pain. In reality, they have all the anatomical and functional components required for nociception, and they react appropriately to painful stimuli.15 During circumcision boys are agitated, cry intensely, and have changes in facial expression. Their heart rates and blood pressure increase, and their oxygenation decreases. Their serum cortisol, β-endorphin, and catecholamine concentrations rise. Clearly, circumcision is painful.In this issue of the Journal, Taddio and colleagues report the results of a study of the safety and efficacy of lidocaine–prilocaine . . .