A family in Perth is coming to terms with an absolutely heartbreaking medical mistake after both of their sons underwent alleged circumcisions in Perth’s south-eastern suburbs.
The two boys, one aged two and one aged seven months, were taken to the emergency department at Armadale Hospital on Tuesday night following the botched procedures.
Tragically, the toddler was pronounced dead on arrival.
His little brother was taken to Perth Children’s Hospital in Nedlands for emergency surgery. Media reports indicate the baby was being treated in the hospital’s intensive care unit and has since been released.
WA Police confirmed the toddler’s death was not being treated as suspicious.
It can be confirmed the boy underwent a medical procedure at a registered medical centre prior to his death,” a WA Police spokeswoman said.
UPDATE: Officials have since come forward to explain that the Perth toddler had adverse reaction to anaesthetic.
According to 7News, after the procedure, the two boys were taken to a house in Seville Grove, where the woman’s other children were being cared for. However, both children were not recovering the way they should be.
At 6.32pm the family called triple zero.
The two-year-old was unconscious by the time paramedics arrived 12 minutes later, and the seven-month-old was still bleeding from the procedure.
Paramedics raced the two-year-old boy to Armadale Hospital, where staff frantically tried to save his life. A second ambulance was sent to the Seville Grove home to fetch the seven-month-old boy. He was taken to Perth Children’s Hospital for surgery but has since been released.
The matter has been handed over to the coronial investigation unit and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Fewer than 20% of boys circumcised
Circumcision comes with several risks but, in most cases, children are able to recover without problems.
According to Better Health Channel, in Australia today, fewer than 20 percent of boys are circumcised. However, in other countries, like the USA, circumcision rates are up around 60%. Around the world, the rate is about 33%.
Circumcision is performed on babies for family, religious or cultural reasons as well as for medical reasons in many instances. Typically, circumcisions happen a day or two after birth, in the hospital. It’s best to do it as soon as possible. Delaying the procedure can make it riskier.
For more information, see the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand’s guidelines, Performing circumcision on infant .
Our thoughts are with the family impacted by this tragedy.
