Newborn Assessment

Question 1

Inspection

Answer 1

Colour- pink/cyanosis/jaundice
Skin- erythema/bruising/rashes
Tone- activity/hypotonia
Posture- asymmetrical posture or movement

Question 2

Head

Answer 2

Measure/plot head circumference
Head size/shape
Scalp swellings
Suture lines
Fontanelle patency 
Scalp lacerations/defects

Question 3

Eyes

Answer 3

Are they open?
Ptosis, discharge, redness, jaundice 
Red reflex bilaterally (cataract or retinoblastoma) 
Pupil size and shape 
Epicanthic folds

Question 4

Face

Answer 4

Facial dissymmetry/dysmorphism

Question 5

Ears

Answer 5

Normality and configuration (ie. congenital absence)

Low set ears

Question 6

Nose

Answer 6

Assess for polyps

Question 7

Mouth

Answer 7

Cleft life/palate (torch and tongue depressor)
Tongue tie
Epstein pearls

Question 8

Neck

Answer 8

Swellings/fistula/brachial cleft/cysts

Short webbed neck (Turner’s)

Question 9

Neck

Answer 9

Swellings/fistula/brachial cleft/cysts

Short webbed neck (Turner’s)

Question 10

Upper limbs

Answer 10

Equal numbers of digits
Symmetry (eg. Erb's palsy) 
Palmar creases (single crease- trisomy 21)

Question 11

Chest

Answer 11

Chest asymmetry
Widley spaced nipples
Pectus carinatum/excavatum
Signs of respiratory distress

Question 12

Heart

Answer 12

Palpate for heave/thrill
Auscultate heart in 4 areas
Femoral pulses
Pulse oximetry test

Question 13

Abdomen

Answer 13

Distention
Umbilicus
Fistulas, hernias, gastroschisis, omphalocele

Question 14

Anus

Answer 14

Absent/patent
Position
Ask about meconium

Question 15

Spine

Answer 15

Deformity
Hair tufts/pits (spina bifida)
Palpate spine from cervical/sacral area and check for symmetry (scoliosis/kyphosis)
Abnormal anal cleft

Question 16

Hips

Answer 16

Assymetry and creases

Barlow and Ortolani tests

Question 17

Lower limbs

Answer 17

Asymmetry
Leg length and discrepancy
Movements 
Number of toes
Talipes

Question 18

Primitive reflex

Answer 18

Moro