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Perinatology is a field whose record keeping is organized around a central, predictable event (i.e., the birth of an infant). This has allowed us to develop a self contained, well functioning data base system for the records associated with perinatal care. Parts of the OBFILE system have been functioning since 1978 at Chicago Lying-in Hospital, with the newborn sections completed in 1980. This paper describes the modular nature of the system and explains how the system was designed for user acceptance. The problem oriented prenatal record and the concept of a core mini- record are highlighted.

The University of Chicago has recently been designated a Clinical Nutrition Research Unit by the National Institute of Health. Chicago Lying-In Hospital, part of the University of Chicago Medical Center, currently handles about 3500 deliveries a year. In order to establish an adequate database for use in Lying-In Hospital, a comprehensive nutritional database has been developed as part of Lying-In's OBFILE computerized record system. Two programs, one to do nutritional analysis based on food recall, and another to record protocols and educational objectives for a particular patient, have been written. Minor adaptations in previously existing programs make possible input by the nutritionist into the problem list of the patient as well as access to all information on file for the patient, including patient profile, clinic visit and lab data, a list of problems, and eventual outcome.