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. 2003 Dec 20;327(7429):1424-7.
doi: 10.1136/bmj.327.7429.1424.

The power of stories over statistics

Thomas B Newman  1
Affiliations

The power of stories over statistics

Thomas B Newman. BMJ. .

Abstract

Neonatal jaundice and infant safety on aeroplanes provide two lessons on the power of narrative, rather than statistical evidence, in determining practice

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
There's a story behind the “kinder, gentler” treatment thresholds for jaundice in newborns Credit: JAMES STEVENSON/SPL
Figure 2
Figure 2
The death of one of the “lap children” on United Airlines flight 232 in 1989 prompted calls for child safety seats Credit: ED PORTER/AP
Figure 3
Figure 3
Estimated numbers of deaths per year in the United States that could be caused or prevented by a regulation requiring safety seats on commercial aeroplanes for children <2 years old, as a function of the proportion of families choosing to drive and their relative risk of death (per 100 million vehicle miles travelled) compared with the US national average. Square indicates the base case estimate, in which the relative risk is about 0.3; the policy will lead to a net increase in deaths if more than about 6% of families choose to drive
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Watchko J, Oski F. Bilirubin 20mg/dL = vigintiphobia. Pediatrics 1983;71: 660-3. - PubMed
    1. Newman TB, Maisels MJ. Does hyperbilirubinemia damage the brain of healthy full-term infants? Clin Perinatol 1990;17: 331-58. - PubMed
    1. Newman TB, Klebanoff MA. Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and long-term outcome: another look at the collaborative perinatal project. Pediatrics 1993;92: 651-7. - PubMed
    1. Newman TB, Maisels MJ. Evaluation and treatment of jaundice in the term newborn: a kinder, gentler approach. Pediatrics 1992;89: 809-18. - PubMed
    1. Practice parameter: management of hyperbilirubinemia in the healthy term newborn. American Academy of Pediatrics. Provisional Committee for Quality Improvement and Subcommittee on Hyperbilirubinemia. Pediatrics 1994;94: 558-65. - PubMed