Is my baby normal? A review of seemingly worrisome but normal newborn signs, symptoms and behaviors.

Infant patients are a unique challenge to emergency department (ED) physicians as the spectrum of normal infant signs, symptoms and behaviors are often difficult to differentiate from abnormal and potentially life-threatening conditions. In this article, we address some common chief complaints of neonates and young infants presenting to the ED, and contrast reassuring neonatal and young infant signs and symptoms against those that need further workup and intervention.

Newborn With a Perineal Lesion.

• Perineal groove is described as a wet sulcus lined with mucoumembrane extending from the posterior fourchette to the anterior anus • Perineal grooves are rarely described in literature but ar likely more common in practice. • The underlying pathogenesis and embryologic origin of perineal grooves are poorly understood. • Perineal grooves generally self-resolve by 1 year of age. • Surgical intervention is rarely indicated but can be considered for rare complications (infections, mucus drainage) or for cosmetic purposes, usually after 2 years of age. • Recognition of this mild anomaly can eliminate unnecessary (and potentially invasive) testing and procedures.

Transcutaneous bilirubinometry is a reliably conservative method of assessing neonatal jaundice.

OBJECTIVE: In order to reduce invasive testing in newborns prior to discharge, we tested the direction of the correlation between transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) and total serum bilirubin (TSB), the likelihood of missing high TSBs with a raised threshold for confirmatory testing, and also calculated potential cost savings from fewer laboratory testing. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of single paired TcB and TSB results measured at 36 ± 2 h of life in neonates ≥37 weeks admitted only to the Level 1 nursery. TcB was measured using the BiliChek® meter. RESULTS: Of the 552 infants, 512 (92.8%) had TSB levels below TcB values. Correlation between TcB and TSB was 0.69. If TSB confirmation was to be performed at 11.7 mg/dL (medium risk threshold for phototherapy), the negative predictive value was 99.4%, with a potential cost savings of $6555.00 ($1500.00 per 100 patients). Of the 495 infants with TcB <11.7 mg/dL, only 3 had TSB levels higher than 11.7 mg/dL, and none met phototherapy threshold for low risk infants. CONCLUSIONS: TcB screening at our institution has a high negative predictive value, and can be used as a stand-alone test until values are close to phototherapy threshold, thus reducing invasive testing and cost.

Eradicating reliance on free artificial milk.

Hospitals that set forth to obtain Baby-Friendly Hospital designation often face considerable challenges in implementing the purchase of formula and supplies at a fair market rate as outlined in the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Some of the challenges include difficulty tracking products in use and volumes used and obtaining pricing information from manufacturers of artificial milk. We report on our experience with assessing these factors, with an example of calculations used to arrive at fair market pricing, which might benefit other institutions seeking Baby-Friendly Hospital designation.

A clinic-based breastfeeding peer counselor intervention in an urban, low-income population: interaction with breastfeeding attitude.

BACKGROUND: Whereas breastfeeding initiation rates have risen in all groups throughout the country, rates of breastfeeding duration have changed more slowly. Peer counseling has had some success in sustaining breastfeeding, but with intensive programs and variable effects. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to improve rates of any and exclusive breastfeeding at 1 and 6 months using a low-intensity peer counseling intervention beginning prenatally. We also planned to study the interaction of breastfeeding attitude and self-efficacy with the intervention. METHODS: One hundred twenty prenatal women underwent stratified randomization based on breastfeeding attitude, measured by the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS). The peer counselor contacted the intervention group by telephone or in clinic up to 4 months postdelivery. Study groups were compared on breastfeeding outcomes, adjusting for IIFAS strata, and on interactions with self-efficacy. RESULTS: One hundred three women were followed to at least 1 month. Women with positive attitudes had significantly higher rates of initiation (93% vs 61%) and breastfeeding at 1 and 6 months (79% vs 25% and 12% vs 0%, respectively) than those with negative attitudes, regardless of intervention. After adjusting for self-efficacy, women who received peer counseling had significantly higher breastfeeding rates at 1 month (odds ratio = 3.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-9.8). The intervention group was marginally more likely to achieve their breastfeeding goal (43% vs 22%, P = .073). CONCLUSION: Breastfeeding rates in all women improved during the study period. Breastfeeding attitude was more strongly associated with breastfeeding behavior than peer support. Peer counseling supported women with low self-efficacy and helped women achieve their breastfeeding goals.

Improving quality and patient satisfaction in a pediatric resident continuity clinic through advanced access scheduling.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of advanced access scheduling in a pediatric residency clinic on resident and patient satisfaction, medical education, practice quality, and efficiency. METHODS: Residents were assigned to either the advanced access template (10 appointments available to patients and 2 physician overbooks) or the prior template (5 available and 8 overbooks). Outcomes included resident and patient satisfaction, appointment availability, and continuity of care and clinic costs. RESULTS: Patient satisfaction improved in 7 areas (P < .001). Residents in either template did not report an impact on medical education experiences. Significant increases were realized with appointment availability and the number of patients seen. Continuity also increased as the overflow/acute visits decreased (P < .001). Overall costs per visit decreased 22%. Because of the significant improvements in access, continuity, and efficiency, all residents were switched to the advanced access template after completion of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in access to the primary physician has a significant impact on patient satisfaction with health care delivery. This model optimizes the limited time that residents have in continuity clinic, and it has implications for health care delivery quality improvement.