For more information on the Rourke Baby Record, including its development and use in practice, visit www.rourkebabyrecord.ca.

The Rourke Baby Record is endorsed by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Canadian Paediatric Society.  

The major changes in the August 2009 RBR from the previous edition (May 2006) are: 

Growth

1. Change from the CDC 2000 growth charts to the WHO 2006 growth standards.
2. Update in recommendations for correction of growth measurement for premature infants.

Nutrition

1. Addition of suggested daily volumes of milk intake as an approximate guide at different ages.
2. Update re vitamin D supplementation.
3. Change in the recommended fat content in milk given to 2 to 5 year olds.
4. New recommendations on the indications for using soy-based formula.

Education & Advice - Anticipatory Guidance
Injury prevention issues

1. Update in information/evidence regarding transportation in motor vehicles, bicycle helmets, hazards re choking and falls, aspects of water safety.
2. Clarification of safe sleeping terminology.

Behaviour/Family/Development issues

1. New guidelines for screening for autism spectrum disorder including use of the MCHAT.
2. Update in information/evidence regarding non-parental childcare, facilitating literacy, and crying and the risk of shaken baby syndrome.
3. The inclusion of recommendations for infant swaddling and on parenting programs.

Other issues

1. Update in information/evidence regarding pacifiers, antipyretics, insect repellents, and dental care/oral health statements.
2. New evidence and recommendations on OTC cough/cold medications and on serum lead levels <10 ug/dl.

Development Milestones

1. External reviews of levels of evidence for various developmental milestone items with subsequent revision of some items.
2. Update in recommendations for correction of developmental milestones for premature infants.

Physical Examination

1. Revision in level of evidence for vision screening and for screening for developmental dysplasia of the hips.
2. New evidence and statements on hearing screening including universal newborn hearing screening.
3. Clarification of the expected norms for fontanelle examination.

Immunization

1. Update of immunizations as per NACI recommendations.
2. New evidence and statements on HPV and rotavirus vaccines.
3. Updated schedule for meningococcal vaccine.
4. New resources for parents regarding immunizations.

Health professionals can download the pdf files here, and reproduce them for office use.

• Rourke Baby Record: Evidence-based infant/child health maintenance guides 1-4 (birth to 5 years) and immunization record
• Growth charts for boys: Canadian WHO growth charts for 0 – 2 yrs and 2 – 19 years (To be available soon)
• Growth charts for girls: Canadian WHO growth charts for 0 – 2 yrs and 2 – 19 years (To be available soon)

The Rourke Baby Record is also available on a dedicated website, which includes details about the RBR's development, intellectual property, a "guided tour" of the Rourke Baby Record with links to additional resources, and much more.

Resources for Ontario physicians
• Rourke Baby Record:for Ontario physicians
• The Government of Ontario also has a wide range of resources (www.children.gov.on.ca)  to help children get the best start in life.

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