Neonatal jaundice, animal-based injuries, and immunizations.

This review presents in a clinically relevant context the past year's investigations in three areas of pediatrics that commonly face the office-based pediatric provider. Although transcutaneous quantification of jaundice may help discern which patients warrant further evaluation, thereby saving patients pain and expense, this technology has not yet significantly changed clinical management of the hyperbilirubinemic infant. A brief overview of animal bites demonstrates that although most are innocuous, proper treatment of these potentially serious injuries is critical in preventing further complications. The number of immunizations given in the first 2 years of life has increased, and although new combination vaccines may eventually simplify the schedule, persistent vigilance is more important than ever to avoid delays in vaccine administration.