Bleeding after Circumcision: A Retrospective Chart Review to Build Evidence-Based Practice in Newborn Care

In the hospital setting, nurses routinely monitor male newborns for post-circumcision bleeding. The literature failed to produce evidence recommending how much time nurses should observe newborns after circumcision and prior to discharge. This IRB approved study examined the frequency, timing and severity of post-circumcision bleeding in 673 newborns. Few cases of bleeding were observed; and the majority of bleeding was minor, requiring minimal intervention. The findings are used to build evidence-based newborn care.