Changes

Baby boys are born with the foreskin fused with the [[glans penis]] by the balanopreputial lamina, a [[synechia| synechial membrane]], which prevents retraction. In addition, the tip of the foreskin ([[acroposthion]]) is usually too narrow to allow [[retraction of the foreskin]]. The [[preputial sac]] is closed by the synechia and cannot be infected.<ref name="fleiss-hodges-vanhowe1998"/>The synechia breaks down over a widely variable period of years to release the foreskin and allow retraction.

In addition, the tip of the foreskin ([[acroposthion]]) is usually too narrow to allow [[retraction of the foreskin]], but usually widens as puberty approaches to permit retraction.  Forcible attempts to retract the foreskin result in injury to the boy, so should be avoided. The first person to retract the foreskin should be the boy himselfsince he will not retract if it is painful.<ref name="Wright1994">{{REFjournal