Imaging the term neonatal brain.

Brain imaging is important for the diagnosis and management of sick term neonates. Although ultrasound and computed tomography may provide some information, magnetic resonance imaging is now the brain imaging modality of choice because it is the most sensitive technique for detecting and quantifying brain abnormalities and does not expose infants to radiation. This statement describes the principles, roles and limitations of these three imaging modalities and makes recommendations for appropriate use in term neonates. The primary focus is the brain of term infants with neonatal encephalopathy, many of whom are diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Newborn male circumcision.

The circumcision of newborn males in Canada has become a less frequent practice over the past few decades. This change has been significantly influenced by past recommendations from the Canadian Paediatric Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics, who both affirmed that the procedure was not medically indicated. Recent evidence suggesting the potential benefit of circumcision in preventing urinary tract infection and some sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, has prompted the Canadian Paediatric Society to review the current medical literature in this regard. While there may be a benefit for some boys in high-risk populations and circumstances where the procedure could be considered for disease reduction or treatment, the Canadian Paediatric Society does not recommend the routine circumcision of every newborn male.

Au Canada, la circoncision néonatale est moins fréquente depuis quelques décennies. Ce changement est considérablement influencé par les recommandations antérieures de la Société canadienne de pédiatrie et de l'American Academy of Pediatrics, qui ont toutes deux conclu que l'intervention n'était pas indiquée sur le plan médical. Selon des données probantes à jour, la circoncision préviendrait les infections urinaires et certaines infections transmises sexuellement, y compris le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine (VIH), ce qui a incité la Société canadienne de pédiatrie à analyser les publications scientifiques récentes sur le sujet. Bien qu'elle puisse constituer un avantage pour certains garçons de populations à haut risque et dans des situations où l'intervention pourrait atténuer ou traiter des maladies, la Société canadienne de pédiatrie ne recommande pas la circoncision systématique des nouveau-nés.