Neonatal Circumcision Not Associated With Autism

Neonatal medical male circumcision (NMC) was not associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism-related traits in a prospective US cohort study published in JAMA Pediatrics. The findings may reassure families concerned about a previously proposed connection between the procedure and autism.

Researchers analyzed 2771 male singleton children from 14 sites participating in the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort. Medical records documented whether circumcision occurred within 28 days of birth, while ASD was identified through parent-reported professional diagnoses or criterion-standard clinical assessments.

Overall, 1840 children, or 66%, underwent circumcision before hospital discharge. ASD was diagnosed in 108 circumcised children (6%) and 84 of 931 uncircumcised children (9%). After adjustment for potential confounders, circumcision was not associated with ASD diagnosis.

Researchers also found no associations between circumcision and continuous or binary scores on standardized measures of autism-related traits and behaviors. Results remained generally consistent when analyses were stratified by geographic region, preterm birth, and neonatal intensive care unit admission. Recorded acetaminophen use during circumcision and the neonatal period was uncommon.

The investigators noted possible residual confounding from limited insurance information, incomplete circumcision data, and restriction of the exposure to procedures performed in medical facilities. The cohort also was not representative of all US male newborns. Nevertheless, the findings did not support an increased risk of ASD following neonatal circumcision.

Source: McGrath M, Li X, Jacobson LP, et al. Neonatal medical male circumcision and child autism diagnosis. JAMA Pediatr. Published online August 3, 2026. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2026.3239