[Nature, frequency and variability of health counseling by 7 pediatric physicians ]. / Nature, fréquence et variabilité des conseils de santé chez 7 pédiatres praticiens.

A prospective study of health counseling was conducted in 7 private pediatric ambulatory settings. The frequency, duration, differences and contents of these advices are given. These latter were classified as systematic (given by the pediatrician), given (occasional), requested, preventive, or therapeutic, for statistical analysis. 1,703 counsels were registered during 1,503 consultations. 828 of them health counsels (HC) and will be reported here. Educational HC were the most frequent, followed by those concerning therapy, hygiene, immunization and nutrition. The mean counsel duration was 2 minutes. Their frequency and contents varied greatly among the 7 pediatricians. The content of the immunization counsels only was homogeneous. 22% of the HC were systematic, when 47% were requested. A better teaching of health counseling would further improve the credibility and efficacy of health counseling in pediatric practice.

Haemoglobin and iron deficiency in healthy one-year-old Swiss children: a study in private practice.

Haemoglobin (Hb) was measured in 348 full-term one-year-old infants in 7 private paediatric offices. In 36 (10.3%) subjects, the Hb value was less than 110 g/l, and in 7 (2.0%) less than 100 g/l. In 11 of 212 (5.2%) subjects, MCV was less than 70 fl. Twenty-six infants with an Hb below 115 g/l showed an increase of Hb of +10 g/l or more after a therapeutic trial with oral iron. No relationship was found between Hb levels and early introduction of whole cow's milk into the diet. It is concluded that screening for iron deficiency is justified in healthy Swiss infants: Hb and MCV measurements may be the initial step.