Six-month-old dies after non-medical circumcision as UK coroner warns of risks

The 6-month-old baby died a week after undergoing a non-medical circumcision. Photo / 123rf

A 6-month-old baby has died following a non-medical circumcision in the UK, raising concerns about the lack of regulation surrounding the cultural tradition.

Mohamed Adbidsamed was taken to Hillingdon Hospital a week after undergoing the procedure on February 12, 2023, according to Metro.

Hours later, the baby went into cardiorespiratory arrest and was declared dead at 11.55pm, with doctors determining the cause was an invasive streptococcus pyogenes infection.

Adbidsamed had been unwell in the days following the circumcision, prompting an inquest into the circumstances of his death.

A report from assistant coroner Anton van Dellen released on December 28 last year found there were several factors of concern contributing to the baby’s fatal infection.

Van Dellen suggested the lack of enforced safety precautions for cultural circumcisions was likely to pose an ongoing risk to infants.

“In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken,” van Dellen concluded.

Circumcision is an important custom within some cultures and religions, involving the removal of the foreskin for symbolic and cleanliness reasons.

It is common for non-medically trained practitioners to undertake the task, as was the case for Adbidsamed.

Van Dellen identified a range of issues surrounding the practice, including that there is no formal accreditation required to carry out a non-medical circumcision, nor is there any requirement for training, record keeping or infection control.

His report is being passed onto the Department of Health and Social Care, Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government, and Adbidsamed’s family.