To the Editor.—In recent years great emphasis has been placed upon care of the newborn. Development of clinical acumen, laboratory methodology, and special therapeutic procedures have done much to reduce infant morbidity and mortality. With this vast surge of information, a new field of medicine was born: neonatology (or in the minds of many, perinatology). An illustration (Figure) used at several meetings and for teaching medical students and housestaff to demonstrate special areas of concern has received comment and many have urged its publication.
The six finger exercise has for its palm the possibility of problems in each area being related to the central nervous system. Cardiorespiratory problems, congenital or acquired, represent the major area. The index finger is for the hematologic problems of
Neonatalogy. bleeding, jaundice, anemia, plethora, etc. The middle finger is related to problems of organ or enzyme maturity, absence or inhibition, hypoglucosemia, hyperbilirubinemia, acidosis, hepatic