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I read with interest in short cuts about the WHO collaborative study
on Female
genital mutilation and obstetric outcome. Female genital mutiliation (FGM)
is
performed in many countries particularly in Africa and the Middle East.
With a
large migrant population in many UK cities physicians need to be aware and
able to recognise patients with FGM. Women may present to multiple
specialities including general practitioners, urologists, obstetricians,
gynaecologists and genitourinary colleagues. Women may be unaware that
they have had the procedure done due to being mutilated at a young age,
they may experience great psychological morbidity and may be unaware of
the female genital mutilation Act. In addition to morbidity in the woman
all
physicians should be aware of possible child protection issues.
Heightening
awareness and educating communities in which FGM is prevalent is essential
to protect children from undergoing this practice in the UK or being taken
Female Genital Mutilation
I read with interest in short cuts about the WHO collaborative study
on Female
genital mutilation and obstetric outcome. Female genital mutiliation (FGM)
is
performed in many countries particularly in Africa and the Middle East.
With a
large migrant population in many UK cities physicians need to be aware and
able to recognise patients with FGM. Women may present to multiple
specialities including general practitioners, urologists, obstetricians,
gynaecologists and genitourinary colleagues. Women may be unaware that
they have had the procedure done due to being mutilated at a young age,
they may experience great psychological morbidity and may be unaware of
the female genital mutilation Act. In addition to morbidity in the woman
all
physicians should be aware of possible child protection issues.
Heightening
awareness and educating communities in which FGM is prevalent is essential
to protect children from undergoing this practice in the UK or being taken
from the UK to undergo FGM.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests