Routine Newborn Exam

Amplified

Prep

  • Wash hands, warm environment
  • Identify baby (wristband, with parent)
  • Explain procedure to parents

General Inspection

  • Colour: pink, central cyanosis, jaundice
  • Activity: tone, posture, movements
  • Cry: normal, high-pitched, weak

Head to Toe

Head

  • Fontanelles: anterior (soft, flat), posterior
  • Sutures: overlapping, separated
  • Cephalhaematoma: does not cross suture lines

Eyes

  • Red reflex: present bilaterally
  • Check for discharge, structural abnormalities
NOTE
Absent red reflex requires urgent ophthalmology referral

Ears

  • Position: top of pinna at level with eyes
  • Form: normally shaped

Mouth

  • Palate: intact (visualise and palpate)
  • Check for cleft, tongue tie

Heart

  • Auscultate: rate, rhythm, murmurs
  • Femoral pulses: present, equal

Abdomen

  • Umbilicus: 2 arteries, 1 vein; no herniation
  • Organs: liver edge may be palpable, no masses

Genitalia

  • Male: testes descended, meatus position
  • Female: patent vagina

Hips

  • Ortolani: flex, abduct, feel for "clunk" (reduction)
  • Barlow: flex, adduct with posterior pressure (dislocation)

Spine

  • Inspect: straight, no dimples/tufts
  • Palpate for defects

Limbs

  • Count: 10 fingers, 10 toes
  • Feet: positional vs fixed talipes

Finish

  • Vitamin K given
  • Document findings
  • Discuss with parents
Checklist Complete