Second baby 'dies after circumcision' within weeks in Italy

Manslaughter investigation opened into previous case

Around 35 per cent of circumcisions in Italy are believed to take place in people's homes (Getty Images)

Another baby has reportedly died as the result of a circumcision performed at home in Italy.

Italian news agency ANSA said the newborn died overnight near the port city of Genoa after his Nigerian mother and grandmother called for emergency medical help.

It comes after a 5-month-old baby died last month in Bologna after his parents performed a circumcision at home.

The prosecutor’s office in the northern province of Reggio Emilia opened a manslaughter investigation.

In December, a 2-year-old boy died of severe blood loss as a result of a botched circumcision in Rome. His twin brother also nearly died, but survived following intensive care treatment.

Circumcision is not practised among the majority of Italian citizens, who are Roman Catholic.

Many immigrants are Muslim and practise circumcision for both religious and cultural reasons.

However, they sometimes have trouble accessing the practice in hospitals either due to cost or because some doctors refuse to perform circumcisions until boys are at least four years old.

Around 35 per cent of circumcisions in Italy are believed to take place in people’s homes.