Physiological phimosis in newborns is defined by which condition?

Physiological phimosis in newborns is characterized by a nonretractable foreskin, which is a normal condition in infants. At birth and in early childhood, the foreskin is typically fused to the glans of the penis, which prevents retraction. This is a natural phenomenon as the penile anatomy is still developing, and as the child grows, the foreskin usually becomes more retractable over time.

The condition usually resolves on its own without treatment as the child matures, often by the age of 3 to 5 years. Therefore, identifying nonretractable foreskin as physiological phimosis is critical for nurses and caregivers to reassure parents that this is a normal stage of development rather than a pathological condition requiring intervention. Understanding this helps in providing proper education on neonatal care and normal genital development in infants.