This Evidence Table lists the literature which has been used to document and support the recommendations for selected items on the 2024 Rourke Baby Record (RBR).

Evidence Methodology: Unique search strategies were developed by a research librarian using information from previous editions of the RBR and in consultation with the clinical experts leading this project. Medline was the primary databased searched and each search was conducted from January 2019 to March 2023. For the current version of the RBR the searches, selection of appropriate evidence and a methodology review of each relevant study was led by McMaster Evidence Review and Synthesis Team (MERST), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.

Citation selection was done in duplicate by two MERST team members. In the title and abstract phase, citations selected by either reviewer were moved to the full text level. At full text, agreement was needed between the two reviewers on either inclusion or exclusion. All conflicts were resolved through discussion and when necessary, by a third member of the team.

Once screening was completed, MERST then proceeded with a critical appraisal of the literature. For this, the Shekelle approach was followed¹. This methodology was chosen because it allows for the assessment of different study types (Treatment; Prognostic; Diagnostic) and for all study designs from meta-analysis to case series to consensus statements. The results of the appraisal were shared with the RBR author team for their review and ultimately, to select which were the most important and robust studies to support the RBR recommendations.

The quality of the evidence was then used to determine the strength of each recommendation for RBR item, using the longstanding and clinician-friendly print scheme of Good, Fair, and Inconclusive evidence/Consensus on the RBR GUIDES.