Newborn examination

Question 1

Newborn examination

Answer 1

1. Palpation of the anterior and posterior
   fontanelles and suture lines
2. Identification of normal facial features
3. Direct visualisation of the hard and soft palate
4. Examination of the chest and cardiovascular,
   abdominal and genitourinary systems
5. Examination of the hips for dislocation/
   relocation upon Ortolani and Barlow
   manoeuvres (Figure 1.4)
6. Examination of the limbs, eyes, spine
   and skin
7. Palpation of the femoral pulses
8. Assessment of Moro reflex
9. The examination is completed by accurately
   plotting the weight, head circumference and length
   of the infant on an appropriate centile chart
10. If a number of anomalies are identified in
    the infant, this raises concern over syndromic or
    genetic causes of the dysmorphism