Chapter 6: Newborn period to 1 year

Question 1

Head

Answer 1

a. Sutures: the bands of cartilage that separate the skull bones
b. Fontanels: the soft spots in the baby’s head
c. Molding: the process of the newborn’s skull as the head passes through the narrow birth canal

Question 2

Length and weight

Answer 2

Length: measured from head to heel

1. Average is 20 inches
2. Normal is 19-21 inches
3. Average growth is 1 inch per month

Weight:

1. Average is 7.5 pounds
2. Normal is 5.5 to 10 (pounds by 6 months weight will double: by 1 year will triple from birth weight).
3. The newborn will lose 5-10% of its weight the first few days of life (normal physiological weight loss)

Physiological jaundice (icterus neonatum): a yellow tinge to the baby’s skin within 48-72 hours after birth due to the body destroying a high number of red blood cells (RBCs) and releasing bilirubin

Eyes:

1. Treated with erythromycin or silver nitrate to prevent blindness by gonorrhea
2. Tears will appear 4 weeks of age
3. Usually slate gray or dark blue until 3-6 months

Cleft palate: Incomplete formation and nonunion of the hard palate; may extend to the lips and nose

Deciduous teeth: Primary teeth that erupt when the infant is 6-7 months old, replaced by permanent teeth by age 6-7 years of age

Abdomen: