Examination of Newborn Baby

1. Observe posture movements, check for skin abnormalities

2. Palpate neck for goitre / sternomastoid tumour

3. look at eye movements - will follow side-to-side movements of examiners face

4. measure occipito-frontal circumference, feel skull and fontanelles

5. get baby to open mouth, check for cleft palate

6. examine chest for signs of respiratory distress (respiratory rate <60)

7. examine pericardium for cardiac murmurs

8. palpate abdomen

9. examine external genitalia, feel for femoral pulses

10. Moro and traction manoeuvres

    1. Moro - when picked up baby extends and abducts arms and fingers, and opens eyes, then flexes and abducts arms

    2. traction - when lifted by grasping hands, baby flexes arms and keeps head in plane of trunk

11. pick up baby in prone position, check muscle tone, examine spine (scoliosis) and anus

12. examine hips