Body piercing of young children

Abstract

Aglaja Stim's review (April 5, p 1205)1Stim A Body piercing: medical consequences and psychological motivations.Lancet. 2003; 361: 1205-1215Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (229) Google Scholar of the medical consequences and psychological motivations of body piercing was fascinating. As paediatricians in the UK, we are seeing an increasing number of children with pierced body parts and the associated complications. However, the law in the UK with regard to the piercing of minors has yet to catch up with social trends. The tattooing of individuals aged younger than 18 years is an offence under the Tattooing of Minors Act of 1969. However, throughout the UK, there is no general statutory limit setting a minimum age for other forms of body piercing.2Hamilton C Fiddy A At what age can I? A guide to age-based legislation. The Children's Legal Centre, Colchester2001Google Scholar Some local authorities have introduced a requirement under the local government (miscellaneous provisions) act of 1982 for registration, hygiene standards, and the setting of age limits, but these vary from authority to authority.3Chartered Institute of Environmental HealthThe law on skin piercing and other treatments: body art, cosmetic therapies and other special treatments. Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Publication, London2001: 30-33Google Scholar Some body piercers refuse to carry out piercing on minors, but there is no legal requirement for them to do so, when consent is given. Indeed, the Gillick High Court case about contraceptive advice to minors set out broad age-related rules that can be applied to minors requesting body piercing.3Chartered Institute of Environmental HealthThe law on skin piercing and other treatments: body art, cosmetic therapies and other special treatments. Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Publication, London2001: 30-33Google Scholar Individuals who are younger than 16 years can probably give consent if they are judged by the practitioner to be adequately informed and to have reached sufficient maturity to understand the nature of their request. The UK's Chartered Institute for Environmental Health has called for stricter hygiene and licensing controls of body piercing, including a ban on piercings below the neck in those aged younger than 16 years.3Chartered Institute of Environmental HealthThe law on skin piercing and other treatments: body art, cosmetic therapies and other special treatments. Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Publication, London2001: 30-33Google Scholar The existing and outdated legislation in the UK needs to be revised to protect young children from the side-effects and complications associated with body piercing.