RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 How reliably can paediatric professionals identify pale stool from cholestatic newborns?
JF Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition
JO Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
SP F385
OP F387
DO 10.1136/fetalneonatal-2010-209700
VO 97
IS 5
A1 Bakshi, B
A1 Sutcliffe, A
A1 Akindolie, M
A1 Vadamalayan, B
A1 John, S
A1 Arkley, C
A1 Griffin, L D
A1 Baker, A
YR 2012
UL http://fn.bmj.com/content/97/5/F385.abstract
AB Background The success of surgery in infants with hepatobiliary disease is inversely proportional to the age when surgery was performed. Pale stool colour is a major indicator of biliary obstruction. However, simple recognition has been inadequate, resulting in late diagnosis and referral. Objective To assess the skills of healthcare professionals in recognising pale stools. Method Photographs of normal, acholic and indeterminate infant stools were shown to paediatric professionals who have regular contact with jaundiced babies at three London teaching hospitals. Each stool was classified as ‘healthy’ or ‘suspect’. Results One-third of the stools were not correctly identified by physicians and nurses. Conclusion Experienced professionals often do not recognise stool colour associated with biliary obstruction. The authors propose that stool colour cards similar to those used in Japan and Taiwan may improve early detection of hepatobiliary disease at a minimal cost.