1.6 Assessing the newborn

Question 1

What are the main 3 things that are assessed?

Answer 1

1) Response to stimulation
- -> If infant’s breathing isn’t initiated in response to stimulation move to resuscitaire
2) Breathing
- -> Infant should be breathing effectively to maintain HR >100bpm
- -> Move to resuscitaire if ineffective breathing +/- HR <100bpm
3) Muscle tone
- Newborn should be moving all limbs and have flexed posture
- -> Move to resuscitaire if hypotonic/floppy

Question 2

What does immediate care for uncompromised newborn involve?

Answer 2

• Dried with warm towel
• Skin-to-skin with mother
• Covered with warm blanket
• AGPAR assessment at 1 and 5 minutes of age

Question 3

In uncompromised newborns when should the cord be clamped?

Answer 3

• Should be delayed until breathing is established
  > Term: >/= 60 seconds
  > Pre-term: >/= 30-60 seconds

Question 4

What are the benefits of delayed cord clamping?

Answer 4

• Increased transfusion of blood from placenta to the newborn
• Increased cardiac output
• Higher haemoglobin level at birth
• Increased ferritin levels at six months of age