Newborn physical examinations
Disease Information
Overview
A complete physical examination is an important part of newborn care. Specialists carefully examine your baby's body systems for signs of health and normal function, as well as signs of illness or birth defects. A physical examination of a newborn includes:
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vital signs:
- temperature - able to maintain stable body temperature 98.60 F (370 C) in normal room environment
- pulse - normally 120 to 160 beats per minute
- breathing rate - normally 30 to 60 breaths per minute
-
general appearance
- physical activity
- tone
- posture
- level of consciousness
-
skin
- color
- texture
- nails
- presence of rashes
-
head and neck:
- appearance, shape, presence of moulding (shaping of the head from passage through the birth canal)
- fontanels (the open "soft spots" between the bones of your baby's skull)
- clavicles (bones across the upper chest)
- face(eyes, ears, nose, cheeks)
- mouth (palate, tongue, throat)
- lungs (breath sounds, breathing pattern)
- heart sounds and femoral (in the groin) pulses
- abdomen (presence of masses or hernias)
- genitals and anus (for open passage of urine and stool)
- arms and legs (movement and development)
