[Information recorded by maternity ward staff in permanent pediatric health records].
OBJECTIVE
To study the frequency with which maternity ward staff complete the perinatal information section of infants' permanent pediatric health records.


METHODS
In 2000, 71 pediatricians in private practice and on staff in a general pediatric ward in a tertiary hospital in Paris carried out an observational study to assess which indicators were reported at what rates. Pediatricians were also asked which information about the perinatal admission they would find helpful in these records.


RESULTS
One thousand seven hundred and eighty-five pediatric health records were studied. The frequency of completed information varied from 5 to 100%, depending on the item. Of the items reported rarely, some, such as thoracic circumference, were obsolete, while others were very important (response to noise, light reflex). The new information desired by office-based pediatricians involved mainly risk factors for vertical infections (maternal fever during delivery, prolonged rupture of the membranes).


CONCLUSIONS
Although the rate of completion of information in the pediatric health record was globally good, some important data should be reported more often (sensorial screening), while other items could be deleted. New information about the pregnancy and delivery would be useful.
Chalumeau
M
M
Inserm U 149, recherches épidémiologiques sur la santé périnatale et la santé des femmes, 123, boulevard de Port-Royal, 75014 Paris, France. martin.chalumeau@wanadoo.fr
Assathiany
R
R
Francoual
C
C
Benazet
M
M
Gendrel
D
D
Bréart
G
G
D003219:Confidentiality; D005260:Female; D005568:Forms and Records Control / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005602:France; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008499:Medical Records / Q000592:standards; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000592:standards; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010372:Pediatrics; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies
Informations portées dans les carnets de santé en maternité.