History and Physical Examination of the Newborn Flashcards
How many times should a full term newborn be examined b/n birth and discharge?
At least 2 times, preferably 3 times.
Where and when should the newborn be examined b/n birth and discharge?
- Delivery room- immediately at birth
- Nursery/ rooming-in area- within 12h of birth
- Upon discharge, with the mother
During physical exam, where should be the attention directed?
- Wether any congenital anomalies are present
- Wether the infant has made a successful transition from fetal life to air breathing
- To what extent gestation, labor, delivery or anesthetics have affected the newborn
- Wether the infant has any sign of infection or metabolic diseases
What principles/ techniques should be included in the neonatal physical exam?
- Inspection
- Palpation
- Auscultation
In neonatal physical exam, what characters/ skills are required?
- Patience
- Gentleness
- Procedural flexibility
What examination should be done first if the infant is quiet and relaxed at the beginning?
Auscultation of the chest, and palpation of the abdomen.
Patterns of activity of the newborn for the first 15 to 30 minutes of birth
- Immediate tachycardia- 160 to 180bpm, gradual drop to 100 to 120bpm
- Irregular respiration, tachypnea 60 to 80bpm, brief moments of apnea
- Moist-sounding lung fields, transient grunting and retractions
- Awake, moving, alert, easily startled, crying, transient tremors
Patterns of activity of the newborn for the next 60 to 90 minutes
- Sleepy or sleeping, somewhat unresponsive
- Heart rate of 100 to 120 bpm, transient tachycardia
- Resp rate of 50 to 60 bpm, transient tachypnea
- Usually, passage of meconium
Patterns of activity of the newborn for the next several hours
Again, awake, alert, easily startled, crying, easily stimulated and reactive
I. General Appearance
The newborn should be ** when being examined
Naked
I. General Appearance
Things to observe in the inafant?
- Posture
- Skin color
- Activity
- Muscle tone
Gross congenital abnormalities
II. VITAL SIGNS
What are the vital signs to be monitored?
- Temperature
- Respiratory Rate
- Type of Respiration
- Cardiac
II. VITAL SIGNS
How often should you monitor vital signs?
Every 30 minutes after birth, for 2 hours or until stable
II. VITAL SIGNS
A. TEMPERATURE
True or False:
Neonates USUALLY develops fever except in response to env’tal temp.
FALSE- UNUSUAL
II. VITAL SIGNS
A. TEMPERATURE
When should you obtain a rectal temperature
If the neonate’s skin temp is 38C and remains elevated even the envnt returns to normal
II. VITAL SIGNS
A. TEMPERATURE
A temp obtaining technique that is less likely to be affected by the environment.
Rectal Temperatue
II. VITAL SIGNS
A. Temperature
Hypothermia is more likely to be observed in?
Premature infants
Normal respiratory rate?
40 to 60 bpm
How to obtain RR of the infant?
Looking at the upper abdomen for a full minute
When obtaining RR, what happens as soon as the infant is touched?
Respiratory rate and depth changes.
True or False:
All infants are regular rather than periodic breathers.
FALSE- All infants are periodic rather than regular breathers.
Normal Cardiac Rate
120 to 160 bpm
Increased heart rate is seen when the baby is?
Crying, active, or breathing rapidly.
Decreased HR is seen if the infant is?
Quiet and breathing slowly.
Describe the HR of preterm infants at rest
Resting HR is at the higher end of the normal range
Describe the resting HR of occasional term or postterm infants
may have a HR below 100bpm
Tachycardia with a rate persistently greater than 160 bpm may indicate?
CNS irritability, CHF, sepsis, anemia, fever
True or False:
Measuring BP is a ROUTINE part of the vital signs in the newborn
FALSE- not a routine part in the vital signs of the newborn
What circumstances should you measure/ include BP in newborn?
- Infants requiring special care
2. Evaluating coarctation of the aorta, and CHD
Blood pressure correlates directly with?
- Gestational Age
- Postnatal Age
- Birth Weight
2 important elements for obtaining accurate BP
- Quiet infant
2. Properly sized cuff
Proper size of cuff?
Width 2/3 the length of the upper arm
Method for obtaining mean pressure
Flush Method
BP Method easier in active infants
Flush Method
BP Method that that requires only Sphygmomanometer
Flush Method
Describe the techniques in Flush Method?
- Wrap the cuff on the arm/leg
- Inflate enough to blanch the skin
- Lower pressure slowly until there is flush of color, at which point the pressure is read
Flush of color at which the pressure is read indicates the?
Estimated Systolic Pressure
BP Method that provides both Systolic and Diastolic pressure
Doppler Method
Doppler Method requires:
Electronic equipment and a quiet infant
Blood Pressure Values in the Newborn Accdg to Birthweight
Refer to page 47
III. Anthropometric Measurements
Describe the proper technique in obtaining Head Circumference
Place the tape measure around the head, above the glabella, and the occipital area.
What do you call if the head circ. is obtained around the head, above the glabella, and the occipital area?
OCCIPITO-FRONTAL CIRCUMFERENCE
Normal occipito-frontal circumference in term infants.
32-36 cm
Used in weight and percentile
Infant weighing scale
Weight of infant is recorded in? (Measurement)
Kilograms
Where do you plot infant weight?
Lubchenco chart
Birthweight below the 10th percentile
Small for Gestational Age (SGA)
When do you consider a newborn as SGA
Birthweight below the 10th percentile
SGA with an onset early in gestation
Symmetric
Describe the brain size as to the body size in Symmetric SGA
Brain size corresponds to the Body size
Etiologic factors for Symmetric SGA
- Environmental- smoking or drugs
- Genetics- small maternal size, or chromosomal disorders (trisomy 13, 28, and 21 syndromes)
- Intrauterine infections (TORCH, and metabolic disorders)
Onset of Symmetric SGA
Early in gestation
SGA with onset late in gestation
Asymmetric SGA
Effect of Asymmetric SGA in brain?
No or minimal effects on fetal brain growth
Onset of Asymmetric SGA
Late in gestation
Etiology of Asymmetric SGA
Uteroplacental insufficiency with chronic fetal hypoxia
Birthweight between the 10th and 90th percentile
Appropriate for Gestational Age (AGA)
When to consider the infant as AGA
Birthweight between the 10th and 90th percentile
Birthweight above the 90th percentile
Large for Gestational Age (LGA)
When to consider infant as LGA
Birthweight above the 90th percentile
LGA infants have increased incidence of?
- Perinatal Asphyxia and birth injuries
- Respiratory Distress Syndrome
- Hypoglycemia
Most LGA infants are born to?
Diabetic mothers
Posture of the baby during the length measurement
Lies supine on a recumbent length table or measuring board
In measuring length, the crown of the head should touch the?
Stationary vertical headboard
Steps in obtaining the length
- Crown of the head should the vertical stationary board
2. The legs should remain flat on the table and shifts the movable board against the heel
Length is recorded in?
To the nearest 0.1 cm
Length is plotted on?
Lubchenco Chart
Deep, rosy red, ruddy color
Plethora
Color more common in infants with polycythemia
Plethora
Plethora
Deep, rosy red, ruddy color
Where can you see Plethora
- More common in infants with Polycythemia
- Overoxygenated
- Overheated infants
Jaundice
Yellowish- secondary to Indirect Hyperbilirubinemia
Greenish- secondary to Direct Hyperbilirubinemia
Level of bilirubin at which Jaundice is noted
> 5mg/dL
May be secondary to Anemia, Birth Asphyxia, shock or PDA
Pallor
Pallor may be 2dary to?
Anemia, Asphyxia, Shock or PDA
Blue skin including tongue and lips
Central Cyanosis
Central Cyanosis is caused by?
Low oxygen saturation in the blood
Bluish hands and feet only
Acrocyanosis
Cause of Acrocyanosis
May be normal to newborn bec of vasomotor instability and peripheral circulatory sluggishness
Lacy red pattern
Mottling
Mottling is seen in?
- Normal infants
- Cold stress
- Hypovolemia
- Sepsis
Persistent mottling
Cutis Marmorata
Where can you find Cutis Marmorata?
Down Syndrome, trisomy 13, and 18
Greasy white substance that covers the skin
Vernix caseosa
Vernix caseosa covers the skin up to?
38th week of gestation
Purpose of vernix caseosa
Provide moisture barrier
Tiny, sebaceous retention cysts, whitish, pi-head sized concretions, seen in nose, chin, forehead and cheeks, resolves weeks after birth
Milia
Small areas of red skin with yellow-white papule in the center
Erythema toxicum
When does erythema toxicum erupts
Noticeable 48 hours after birth, but can be seen as late as 7 to 10 days
Non-inflammatory pinpoint clear vesicles that erupt in profusion over large areas of the body surfaces.
Miliaria Crystallina
Leaves a brawny desquamation on healing
Miliaria Crystallina
Benign, self-limiting condition which requires no specific therapy, characterized by 3 stages
Transient pustular melanosis
3 stages of transient pustular melanosis
- Pustules
- Ruptured vesicopustules with scaling or typical halo appearance
- Hyperpigmented macules
True vascular nevus
Macular Hemangioma
Stork bite
Macular Hemangioma
NORMALLY Seen in occipital area, eyelids, and glabella
Disappear spontaneously within the 1st year of life
Macular Hemangioma
Usually seen at birth, does not blanch with pressure, and does not disappear in time
Port-wine stain / Nevus Flammeus
Dark-blue, or purple, bruise-like macular spots
Mongolian spots
Mongolian spots are usually seen in the?
Sacrum
Most common birthmark
Mongolian spots
Things to check on Phys Exam of the head?
- General shape
- Cuts, bruises 2dary to forceps or fetal monitor leads
- Micro/Macrocephaly
Head circumference is greater than 2 standard deviations above the mean
Macrocephaly
Macrocephaly is a manifestation of?
Hydrocephalus
Skeletal Disorders
Head circum less than 3 standard deviations below the mean
Microcephaly
Microcephaly is seen in?
Familial with autosomal recessive or dominant inheritance
Infections
Trisomy 13 and 18
Diamond shape fontanel b/n coronal and sagittal suture
Anterior Fontanel
When does the anterior fontanel closes?
9 to 18 months
Intersection of the occipital and parietal bones
Posterior fontanel
When does posterior fontanel closes?
At birth or admits the tip of the finger till 2 to 4 months
Large Anterior Fontanel
Hypothyroidism
Chromosomal abnormalities
Small anterior fontanel
Hyperthyroidism
Microcephaly
Craniosynostosis
Bulging fontanel
Increased intracranial pressure
Hydrocephalus
Meningitis
Seen in prolonged labor secondary to the accumulation of blood or serum above the periosteum, poorly demarcated swelling that crosses the suture lines
Caput Succedaneum
When does caput succedaneum resolves
Within days
Rupture of blood vessels that traverses the skull to periosteum, well demarcated swelling that does not cross the suture lines
Cephalhematoma
Cephalhematoma resolves
2 weeks to 3 months
Temporary asymmetry of the skull due to the birth process, seen in prolonged labor or vaginal delivery
Molding
Molding resolves in?
Within 1 week
Noted during PE of the face
General shape of the nose, mouth and chin
Eyes widely separated
Hypertelorism
Compression of the facial nerve against the sacral promontory or by trauma caused by the use of forceps during delivery
Facial Nerve Palsy
When do you see facial nerve palsy
1st to 2nd day of life
Characteristics seen in facial nerve palsy
Corner of the mouth droops and absent nasolabial fold on the paralyzed side. Unable to close the eyes, move the lips, and drool on the side of paresis
Symmetric facial palsy due to the absence or hypoplasia of the 7th nerve nucleus
Moebius Syndrome
More useful for inspecting the eyes than forcing the lids apart
Doll’s eye maneuver
Doll’s eye maneuver is a result of
Labyrinthine and neck reflexes
Normal RED ORANGE REFLEX
No dulness and no irregularities
White pupil aka?
Cat’s eye reflex
Cat’s eye reflex denotes?
Abnormalities in the lens, vitreous, fundud
Most common presenting sign of cataract
White pupillary reflex or Leukocoria
Usually benign eye abnormality and usually resolves by 2 weeks of age
Subconjunctival hemorrhages
PE of the nose
Size Shape Patency Presence of nasolacrimal duct inflammation Size of the Philtrum Nasolabial folds definition
If suspected, do nasal patency
Unilateral or Bilateral Choanal Atresia
How to assess nasal patency
Pass a nasogastric tube in each nose into the stomach
PE of the ear
Size
Shape
Position
Presence of canal, and tags or pits
How to determine the position of the ears
Draw a horizontal line from the inner and outer canthi of the eyes across the face, perpendicular to the vertical axis of the head
When to consider ears as Low Set
If the helix of the ear is below the horizontal line
**congenital abnormalities
Hairy ear is seen in
Infant of diabetic mothers
True or false
Otoscopic exam is performed because the ears of the infant is clear
FALSE
Because the ear of the infant is full of amniotic debris
PE of Mouth
Hard and soft palate clefts
Gum clefts
Deciduous teeth
Should be visualized in mouth PE
Tongue, buccal surface, palate, back of the mouth
Palpated with gloved finger
Gum and hard palate
Keratin-containing cyst
Epstein Pearls
Where can you find Epstein pearls?
Hard and soft palates
Cystic swelling at the floor of the mouth
Ranula
Small lesions on oral mucosa due to the trauma of salivary gland ducts
Mucocele
Natal teeth
Low incisors
Loose, roots are absent or poorly formed
Extracted to prevent aspiration
Predeciduous teeth
True teeth that erupt early, not extracted
True Deciduous teeth
Enlarged tongue
Macrglossia
Macroglossia seen in
Beckwith’s Syndrome
Congenital Hypothyroidism
Quadrad of Beckwith’s Syndrome
Macroglossia
Gigantism
Omphalocoele
Severe Hypoglycemia
Reflex that cause the baby to turn the head
Rooting reflex
Palpated in the neck
Sternocleidomastoid- hemorrhages
Thyroid- enlargement and thyroglossal cysts
Most common fracture in the newborn
Clavicular Fracture
Irregularities in the clavicle
Crepitus
PE of the CHEST
Check for symmetry
Tachypnea with retractions
Respiratory Distress
Barrel chest
Meconium Aspiration Pneumonia
-due to hyperaeration and air trapping
Normally seen due to compliant chest walls
Mild subcostal and intercostal retractions
Because diaphragm is the primary muscle for breathing, quiet breathing is
Abdominal
Normal breast measurement
1cm
Enlarged breast (3 to 4 cm)
Due to Maternal Estrogen
Extra nipples and are normal
Supernumerary nipples
A white discharge from infant’s ( male or female) breasts
Witch’s milk
Absent or unequal breath sounds
Pneumothorax and Atelectasis
Absent breath sounds with the presence of bowel sounds
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
True or False
Newborn lung sounds are more vesicular than bronchial
False
More bronchial than vesicular due to better transmission of large airway sounds through a thin chest wall
Heart PE
Precordial activity Rate Rhythm Quality of heart sounds Absence or presence or murmurs
Normal heart rate
120 to 160
Resting term infant can have a heart rate below 90
If heart rate does not increase upon appropriate stimulation
Check for serum electrolytes and obtain ECG
Obtain ECG to rule out?
Heart Block
Most common among infants whose mothers have SLE
Heart Block
Heart block is common among infants whose mothers have?
SLE
Most common murmur in immediate newborn
Flow murmur
Flow murmur is due to
Transition from fetal to neonatal circulation
Murmurs persisting after 12 hours of life
Structural abnormalities
Normal Abdomen on PE
Globular and soft on palpation
Intestines covered with peritoneum
Umbilibus situated centrally
Omphalocoele
Intestines NOT covered with peritoneum
Gastroschisis
Scaphoid abdomen may indicate
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Normal infant bowel sounds
Relatively inactive bowel sounds
Process of abdominal palpation
Stand on the right side of the infant
Left hand lifts the leg, slightly elevate the pelvis to relax abdominal muscles
Use right hand fingerpads to palpate
Palpate starting from the umbilicus in both side, then proceed towards the diaphragm
Where is liver can be plapated?
2 cm below the costal margin
Where is spleen tip can be palpated?
At the costal margin
Hepatomegaly can be seen in?
Congestive heart failure
Hepatitis
Sepsis
Splenomegaly may indicate?
CMV or Rubella infection
Sepsis
Which side of kidney can be palpated
Right Kidney
Enlarged kidney may indicate
Polycystic disease, renal vein thrombosis, hydronephrosis
Discharge, redness, or edema around the base of the cord may signify
Patent Urachus/ Omphalitis
Umbilicus have how many blood vessels.
2 arteries
1 vein
Presence of only 2 vessels (1 artery 1 vein) of the umbilicus may indicate
Renal or genetic defects
Normal color of umbilicus
Translucent
Greenish-yellow umbilicus
Meconium stain- respiratory distress
Male Genitalia PE
Dorsal Hood
Hypospadias
Epispadias
Chordee
Normal newborn penile length
Greater than 2 cm
True or False
Newborn males ALWAYS HAVE a marked phimosis
TRUE
Abnormally small penis
Reduced androgen effector reduced growth hormone action during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters
True or False
Hydrocoeles are COMMON and usually disappear by 1 year
TRUE
Female genitalia PE
Labias, clitoris, meatus, vaginal opening, relation of the posterior fourchette to the anus
True or False
All female newborns have redundant hymenal tissue
True
Extension of hymenal tissue
1 to 15 mm beyond the rim of the hymen
Discharge from the newborn genitalia usually blood tinge
Pseudomenses
Pseudomenses are due to
Maternal estrogen withdrawal
Clitoromegaly indicates
Masculinization
Virilizing tumor
Increased maternal androgen production
Materbal drug use
TRUE OR FALSE
Ambiguous genitalia is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY
TRUE
Should be established if there is ambiguous genitalia
Adrenal and pituitary integrity
Hips PE
Congenital hip dislocation/
Developmental dysplasia of the hips
Ortolani Maneuver
Abduct
Middle finger
Inward upward pressure
Greater Trochanter
Barlow maneuver
Adduct hip
Thumb
Outward and background pressure
Inner thigh
Absence of pulses
Poor cardiac output or
Peripheral vasoconstriction
Absence of femoral pulses
Coarctation of the aorta
Abnormal fusion of the digits
Syndactyly
Syndactyly happens in what digits?
3rd and 4th finger
2nd and 3rd toes
Supernumerary digits
Polydactyly
One transverse crease on the palm
Simian crease
Simian crease most common in
Down syndrome
Clubfoot
Foot turned downward and inward
Sole directed medially
Talipes equinovarus
Talipes more common in
Males
Adduction of foot
Metatarsus varus
Tufts of hair over the lower back
Occult spina bifida
Sacral or pilonidal dimple
Small meningocele
Passage of meconium
Within 48 hours of birth
Gestational age prenatally can be determined by?
- Date of last menstrual period
- Date of the first reported fetal activity
- Ultrasound
Quickening is first seen during
16 to 18 weeks
Ultrasound is most accurate
Before 20 weeks
Determine posnatal gestational age
New Ballard Score
When to perform ballard score?
ASAP after stabilization
12 hours after birth
2 parts of Ballard score
Neuromuscular maturity
Physical maturity
Avoid when handling newborn
Primitive reflexes (tonic neck, plantar and palmar grasp reflex)
Posture
Arms and legs extended
0
Posture
Arms extended, knees and hips beginning flexion
1
Sticky transparent skin
-1
Lanugo hair on the lumbosacral only
Sparse
Lanugo hair on the scapular area only
Thinning
Loosely fused eyelids, gentle traction opens
-1
Scrotum touches examining surface
4