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Cureus Feb 2024Contrasting ethical and legal arguments have been made concerning neonatal male circumcision (NMC) that merit the first systematic review on this topic. We performed... (Review)
Review
Contrasting ethical and legal arguments have been made concerning neonatal male circumcision (NMC) that merit the first systematic review on this topic. We performed PRISMA-compliant keyword searches of PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, LexisNexis, and other databases and identified 61 articles that met the inclusion criteria. In the bibliographies of these articles, we identified 58 more relevant articles and 28 internet items. We found high-quality evidence that NMC is a low-risk procedure that provides immediate and lifetime medical and health benefits and only rarely leads to later adverse effects on sexual function or pleasure. Given this evidence, we conclude that discouraging or denying NMC is unethical from the perspective of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which emphasizes the right to health. Further, case law supports the legality of NMC. We found, conversely, that the ethical arguments against NMC rely on distortions of the medical evidence. Thus, NMC, by experienced operators using available safety precautions, appears to be both legal and ethical. Consistent with this conclusion, all of the evidence-based pediatric policies that we reviewed describe NMC as low-risk and beneficial to public health. We calculated that a reduction in NMC in the United States from 80% to 10% would substantially increase the cases of adverse medical conditions. The present findings thus support the evidence-based NMC policy statements and are inconsistent with the non-evidence-based policies that discourage NMC. On balance, the arguments and evidence reviewed here indicate that NMC is a medically beneficial and ethical public health intervention early in life because it reduces suffering, deaths, cases, and costs of treating adverse medical conditions throughout the lifetimes of circumcised individuals.
PubMed: 38405642
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54772 -
Pediatric Dermatology May 2022Studies concerning pediatric lichen sclerosus are limited, and, to date, there have been no studies comparing the course of lichen sclerosus in boys and girls. We sought...
BACKGROUND
Studies concerning pediatric lichen sclerosus are limited, and, to date, there have been no studies comparing the course of lichen sclerosus in boys and girls. We sought to examine all publications on boys and girls with lichen sclerosus and assess and compare epidemiology, symptoms and signs, genetic background, risk factors, treatment, and prognosis.
METHODS
A systematic search was performed in the Embase, Medline, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases. Inclusion criteria were information on children ages 0-18 years and a clinical or histologic diagnosis of lichen sclerosus. Literature from 1985 to 2021 was reviewed.
RESULTS
A total of 1780 articles were retrieved from the search, of which 90 articles were eligible for inclusion. Boys and girls present similarly on many aspects; nonetheless, treatment and follow-up are approached differently.
CONCLUSIONS
Though the clinical approach is often different, lichen sclerosus in boys and girls demonstrates many similarities. More research is needed, especially on follow-up, to gain a better understanding of the course of lichen sclerosus and establish an advanced management plan for children.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Genetic Background; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus; Male; Prognosis; Risk Factors
PubMed: 35229894
DOI: 10.1111/pde.14967 -
Urology Jan 2020To elucidate current understanding on the pathophysiological mechanism of genital lichen sclerosus (LS), urologic manifestations, and treatment options.
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate current understanding on the pathophysiological mechanism of genital lichen sclerosus (LS), urologic manifestations, and treatment options.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The Medline/PubMed and Embase databases were systematically reviewed for publications pertaining to LS. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, references were assessed for relevance to the pathophysiology, presentation, and treatment of LS by title and abstract review by 2 independent reviewers, yielding 186 articles for assessment.
RESULTS
The contemporary understanding of the epidemiology and histology of LS is reviewed herein. Additionally, we explore in detail the 3 hypotheses regarding the pathophysiological mechanism contributing to disease presentation: infectious etiology, primary immune dysregulation, and the isotraumatopic response. We summarize the available biological evidence supporting each hypothesis. This discussion provides context for understanding LS morbidity and may spur new avenues of research. For the clinician, we review the clinical presentation of disease, including the risk of progression to squamous cell carcinoma. The current medical and surgical treatment options are also detailed.
CONCLUSION
LS remains a potentially insidious disease which may lead to debilitating urinary and sexual dysfunction. Cross disciplinary research should aim for earlier detection, as well as more effective and durable treatment. The exact cause of LS remains unknown.
Topics: Administration, Topical; Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans; Biopsy; Circumcision, Male; Diagnosis, Differential; Disease Progression; Female; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus; Male; Penis; Prevalence; Treatment Outcome; Vulva; Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus
PubMed: 31605681
DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2019.09.034 -
Journal of Pediatric Surgery Nov 2018To determine whether treatment of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LS), with topical steroids reduces the rate of circumcision.
PURPOSE
To determine whether treatment of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LS), with topical steroids reduces the rate of circumcision.
METHODS
Two independent reviewers performed a literature search of studies reporting treatment of LS with topical steroids using EMBASE and MEDLINE database(s).
INCLUSION CRITERIA
boys aged 0-18 years, clinical diagnosis of LS, treatment with topical steroids. Literature reviews, studies of phimosis without LS and adult patients were excluded. Data analysed for each paper included age, duration of treatment, length of follow up and outcome, notably circumcision or no surgery.
RESULTS
The original search identified 26 titles. Application of exclusion criteria left 6 articles for inclusion in the study. Eighty nine patients with LS were treated with topical corticosteroids. Circumcision was avoided in 31/89 (35%; range 0-100%). Median patient age was 6.5 years (1 month-15 years). Median duration of treatment was 2 months (1-23 months); median follow-up 4 months (6 weeks-5 years).
CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of LS with topical steroids reportedly avoided circumcision in 35% of boys. Duration of medical therapy and patient follow up in analysed studies were, however, short. A prospective randomised trial would provide a definitive answer.
TYPE OF STUDY
Systematic review.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
III.
Topics: Administration, Topical; Adolescent; Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans; Child; Child, Preschool; Circumcision, Male; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus; Male; Steroids
PubMed: 29395150
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2017.12.021 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Aug 2012Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that occurs mainly in the anogenital area and causes itching and soreness. Progressive destructive scarring... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that occurs mainly in the anogenital area and causes itching and soreness. Progressive destructive scarring may result in burying of the clitoris in females and phimosis in males. Affected people have an increased risk of genital cancers.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to assess the effects of topical interventions for genital LS.
METHODS
We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis using the methodology of the Cochrane Collaboration.
RESULTS
We included 7 randomized controlled trials with a total of 249 participants covering 6 treatments. Clobetasol propionate 0.05% was better than placebo in treating genital LS (participant-rated improvement/remission of symptoms: risk ratio 2.85 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.45-5.61]; investigator-rated global degree of improvement: standardized mean difference [SMD] 5.74 [95% CI 4.26-7.23]) as was mometasone furoate 0.05% (change in clinical grade of phimosis: SMD -1.04 [95% CI -1.77 to -0.31]). We found no evidence supporting the efficacy of topical androgens and progesterone. There were no differences between pimecrolimus and clobetasol propionate in relieving symptoms through change in pruritus (SMD -0.33 [95% CI -0.99 to 0.33]) and burning/pain (SMD 0.03 [95% CI -0.62 to 0.69]). However, pimecrolimus was less effective than clobetasol propionate in improving gross appearance (investigator-rated global degree of improvement: SMD -1.64 [95% CI -2.40 to -0.87]).
LIMITATIONS
Most of the included studies were small.
CONCLUSIONS
The current limited evidence supports the efficacy of clobetasol propionate, mometasone furoate, and pimecrolimus in treating genital LS. Further randomized controlled trials are needed.
Topics: Administration, Topical; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans; Female; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus; Male; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus
PubMed: 22483994
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2012.02.044