Call 112 immediately
If your child’s life is in immediate danger, for example if he stops breathing or his lips turn blue, loses consciousness, or bleeds heavily and the bleeding does not stop despite pressure, call 112 immediately.
When to go to the emergency department at once
Go immediately to the Emergency Department if any of the following occurs:
- Persistent bleeding: the bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes of direct, constant pressure, is more than a few drops, or soaks the gauze or diaper.
- Colour change of the head of the penis: turning dark blue or black.
- Severe swelling: the swelling increases rapidly or becomes severe.
- No urination: the child has not urinated at all within 8 hours after the procedure, strains without passing urine, or has swelling in the lower abdomen.
- Breathing disturbance: difficulty breathing or an abnormal change in breathing.
- Deterioration in the child's condition: severe lethargy, difficulty waking, obvious pallor, or an abnormally cold body.
- Fever of 38.0 °C or higher in a child under 3 months: needs immediate medical assessment, do not wait.
- Ring displacement: the ring has moved out of its normal position or slipped onto the shaft of the penis.
- Ring trapped or slipped backwards: if the ring has moved behind the head of the penis or is pressing on the shaft, go to the Emergency Department immediately and do not try to move or remove it.
When to seek medical advice the same day
Seek urgent medical assessment on the same day if any of the following occurs:
- Fever: a temperature of 38.0 °C or higher in a child aged 3 months or older.
- Abnormal redness: redness extending along the shaft of the penis or continuing to spread.
- Signs of infection: pus discharge or a foul smell from the wound.
- Increasing pain: persistent or worsening pain despite paracetamol at the prescribed dose.
- Poor feeding: refusal to feed or a clear reduction in feeding.
- Unusual crying: persistent crying that cannot be soothed and is unusual for the child.
- The ring has not fallen off within 14 days — contact the clinic and do not pull it.
- Swelling when urinating: the skin over the head of the penis balloons while the child urinates, or the urine stream is clearly weak.
Outside opening hours, if your family doctor is not available: call the out-of-hours GP service on 1733.
How do you contact us?
For any question or follow-up: WhatsApp; you will receive a reply as soon as possible during opening hours. If you are unsure or worried about how the wound looks, send a clear photo via WhatsApp.
WhatsApp is not for emergencies: in urgent situations, do not wait for a reply.
This page gives general information and does not replace an examination of your child by a doctor. If in doubt, do not wait: have your child seen by a doctor.