Assessment of the baby: at birth Flashcards
What are the two parts of the assessment of a baby at birth?
Immediately assessing adjustment from intrauterine to extra-uterine life using Apgar score, and a complete physical examination to confirm normality and detect deviations from the norm.
What 5 variables does the Apgar assess?
Respiratory effort, heart rate, colour, muscle tone and reflex irritability
How frequently is the Apgar score assessed?
At 1 min, 5 mins and 10mins – although may be more frequent if any scores are low and resuscitation is required
What does Apgar stand for?
Appearance (colour), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (response to stimuli), Activity (muscle tone), Respiratory effort
Explain values for Apgar scoring
Each variable is assigned a score of 0, 1 or 2, so the baby is given a total score out of 10.
What does an Apgar score of 7-10 suggest?
The baby is in good condition.
What does an Apgar score of 4-6 suggest?
Moderate depression, requiring some degree of resuscitation but mat also be due to other factors such as prematurity, effects of maternal drugs, congenital malformation etc.
What does an Apgar score of 0-3 suggest?
Severe depression, usually already undergoing resuscitation.
What would a score of 0 for appearance look like?
Blue, pale
What would a score of 1 for appearance look like?
Body pinks, limbs blue
What would a score of 2 for appearance look like?
All pink
What would a score of 0 for pulse look like?
Absent
What would a score of 1 for pulse look like?
<100
What would a score of 2 for pulse look like?
> 100
What would a score of 0 for grimace look like?
None
What would a score of 1 for grimace look like?
Grimace
What would a score of 2 for grimace look like?
Cry
What would a score of 0 for activity look like?
Limp
What would a score of 1 for activity look like?
Some flexion of limbs
What would a score of 2 for activity look like?
Active movements, limbs well flexed
What would a score of 0 for respiratory effort look like?
None
What would a score of 1 for respiratory effort look like?
Slow, irregular
What would a score of 2 for respiratory effort look like?
Good, strong cry
When is a complete physical examination of the baby undertaken?
After the first hour of life to allow a long period of skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby.
What features of the baby should be assessed during its physical examination?
Head, neck, clavicles, arms, chest, abdomen, genitalia, legs, spine, skin, elimination, weight, length
What features of the head should be assessed during the physical examination of the baby?
Head circumference, shape of the face, eyes nose, mouth and ears.
What should you consider when examining the baby’s head in general?
Look for signs of moulding and caput succedaneum, visible signs of trauma and bruising; Feel along suture lines and fontanelles