The purpose of the newborn physical examination is to assess the baby’s transition from intrauterine life to extra-uterine existence and to detect congenital malformations and actual or potential disease.
The baby should be examined briefly immediately after birth. This should be confined to quick assessment of respiration, circulation, temperature, neurological status, and screening for anomalies or disease that might mandate emergency treatment.
A complete examination should be performed within the first 24 hours and again at discharge from the nursery.
The doctor in a clinic setting usually gives the newborn a thorough physical examination within 5 days after discharge from the hospital and at 2 weeks of age. The examination begins with a series of measurements, including weight, length, and head circumference.
The average weight at birth is 7 pounds, and the average length is 20 inches, although there is a wide range that is considered normal.
Then the doctor examines the newborn’s from head to toe including the newborn’s skin, heart, lungs, abdominal and genitals. The doctor will also assess the newborn’s nervous system and reflexes.
