Publications & Resources

Rourke Baby Record

The Rourke Baby Record (RBR) is an evidence-based health supervision guide for physicians and health care providers caring for children in the first five years of life.  

Originally developed in 1979 by Drs. Leslie and James Rourke, family physicians currently living in St. John’s NL, the latest revision was completed in August 2009 in collaboration with Dr. Denis Leduc, a paediatrician from Montreal, Que., and past president of the Canadian Paediatric Society. 
The Rourke Baby Record is endorsed by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Canadian Paediatric Society.  

For evidence-based guides to preventive health care from ages 6 to 17 years, consult Preventive Health Care visits for children and adolescents ages 6 to 17 years: The Greig Health Record.

Using the Rourke Baby Record

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 years and 2–19 years
• COMING SOON! Growth charts for girls: Canadian WHO growth charts for 0–2 years and 2–19 years

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 to help children get the best start in life.

Updates to Rourke Baby Record (2009)

The major differences between the current version of the Rourke Baby Record (August 2009) and the previous edition (May 2006) are as follows:

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

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

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

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.

Last updated: March 2010