Comparative Effectiveness, 2004

American Academy of Pediatrics

February 2004

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has revised its clinical practice guidelines for newborn jaundice. Described as "a total revision of the 1994 guidelines," the new guidelines address both clinical practice and reimbursement issues and were influenced by findings from an AHRQ Evidence Report.

According to Carla Herrerias, AAP Senior Analyst, the new guidelines are based, in part, on new and better evidence developed by AHRQ, in partnership with the AAP. An Academy expert panel used the AHRQ Evidence Report, Management of Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia, and other sources of evidence to define the guideline recommendations.

Herrerias said the new guidelines also address preterm infants—those born within 35 to 37 weeks. The guidelines also make a stronger statement on the need for very early (48 to 72 hours) follow-up of newborns. The new guidelines should result in better and timelier treatment of newborn jaundice and provide clarification on laboratory testing and billing for services.

Among the services recommended in the guidelines are a prenatal visit to a pediatrician, transcutaneous bilirubin testing, and a neonatal visit early after discharge. Guideline approval is expected in 2004.

The Evidence Report was prepared for AHRQ by the AHRQ Tufts-New England Medical Center Evidence-based Practice Center in Boston.

Impact Case Study Identifier: COE 04-08

Management of Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia. Summary, Evidence Report/Technology Assessment: Number 65. March 2002. AHRQ Publication No. 03-E005. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/neonatalsum.htm

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Current as of September 2009

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Internet Citation:

Impact Case Studies and Knowledge Transfer Case Studies: Comparative Effectiveness, 2004. September 2009. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/about/casestudies/compeff/ce2004.htm

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