Small babies and those with special needs due to prematurity or other medical conditions will not fit well in all car seats sold for newborns. Selection must consider both proper harness fit and the manufacturer's lowest weight limit rating.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released the updated clinical report, "Safe Transportation of Preterm and Low Birth Weight Infants at Hospital Discharge." The report is the result of a lengthy and thorough analysis and review process headed by Marilyn J. Bull, MD, and William A. Engle, MD. The new clinical report replaces the policy statement on this subject that had been in effect since 1996. The AAP added the clinical report classification sometime after the prior policy statement was issued. With this update, it was determined that the document better suited the definition of a clinical report ("guidance for the clinician in rendering pediatric care"), so it was reclassified.