Routine examination of newborn infant

Question 1

When should a full examinaiton of a newborn infant take place and with who

Answer 1

within 48hr of birth

with the mother (and father if possible)

Question 2

what measurements should be noted in an examination of a newborn 3

Answer 2

birth weight

gestational age

head circumference

Question 3

examination of a newborn regarding the head 3

Answer 3

size - circumfernce measured and plotted in a growth chart

shape - check for caput or cephalhaematoma

fontanelle and sutures should be palpated

Question 4

examination of a newborn regarding the face 1

Answer 4

Look for any features associated with down syndrome

Question 5

examination of a newborn regarding the mouth and palate 2

Answer 5

Exclude cleft palate and epsteins pearls, gum cysts or teeth may also be there

Question 6

examination of a newborn regarding the eyes 3

Answer 6

Red reflex checked

also look for conjunctival haemorrhage or swollen eyelids

Question 7

examination of a newborn regarding the skin 3

Answer 7

Check the colour of the skin

may be plethoric ,pale or jaundiced

central cyanosis best assessed on tongue

SKin rashes- erythema toxicum v common

Question 8

common cuases of skin discolouration in new born 4

Answer 8

erythmea toxicum (common rash)

capillary or cavernous haemangiomas

port wine stains

mmongolian blue spots at base of spine/buttocks

Question 9

examination of a newborn regarding the arms 2

Answer 9

position

look for nerve palsies particulary if difficult delivery

Question 10

examination of a newborn regarding the hands 2

Answer 10

count fingers

check palmar creases

Question 11

examination of a newborn regarding the chest 3

Answer 11

check resp rate and effor (any respiratory distress)

count resp rate- listen to air entry in both lung fields

breast engorment cna be present in. newborns of both sexes

Question 12

examination of a newborn regarding the heart 4

Answer 12

palpate thrisll/heaves

listen over precordium and back

check for murmur

feel brachial AND FEMORAL pulses

Question 13

examination of a newborn regarding the abodment 5

Answer 13

Palpate the abdomen

check liver edge is palpable around 1 cm below subcostal Margin

has baby passed meconium (first poo)

check for hearnias (umbilical and inguinal)
- any masses

check anus present

Question 14

examination of a newborn regarding the genitalia 3

Answer 14

Check they are normal

check if the baby has passed urine

and boys check if the testes are in the scrotum

Question 15

examination of a newborn regarding the muscle tone 2

Answer 15

Observe the baby’s posture and limb movements.

Pick up the baby,
supporting the head, on turning prone the head should lift to being horizontal with back straight.

Question 16

reflexes check in examinion of new born 3

Answer 16

moro (startle reflex- when dropped)

grasp

suck

Question 17

examination of new born regarding back adn spine 3

Answer 17

look for midlline defects in skin

examine sacral dimple, tuft hair, swelling and naevus

mongolia blue spot

Question 18

examination of new born regarding hips 4

Answer 18

Observe groin creases

Check leg length are equal

Jack abduction is symmetrical

Check for hip dislocation

Question 19

type of hip dislocation in newborns and the associated sign 2

Answer 19

reduced but dislocateable hip (Barlow positive)- hips started reduced test will cause dislocation

dislocated reducible hip (ortolani positive)
-started dislocated test will cause hips to be reduced

Question 20

examination of new born regarding toes 2

Answer 20

count toes

foot posture

Question 20

examination of new born regarding toes 2

Answer 20

count toes

foot posture