Newborn Physical Examinations

During the initial three days of birth, a physician (often a doctor) will examine your infant from head to toe.

After that, your baby will undergo a very similar examination at roughly 6 weeks old, probably by your GP. Many doctors will conduct this assessment concurrently with your child's initial immunisations. Your kid begins receiving these immunisations at 8 weeks of age.

The purpose of the newborn and six-week checkups is to make sure your baby is healthy and to check for any potential issues that might require additional testing or treatment in the future.

What will be checked?

The following checks will usually be carried out:

1.Examining your child's limbs, hands, feet, fingers, and face for symmetry.

2.Focusing a light into your infant's eyes. This is done to check for retinoblastoma and cataracts. This is an uncommon form of ocular cancer.

3.Observing your infant's head, particularly the fontanelles (the "soft areas" on the top of babies' skulls), face, ears, neck, and mouth, paying particular attention to the palate (to check for cleft palate).

4.Examining your infant's heartbeat. To make sure there are no murmurs, your baby's heart is carefully listened to. Along with the typical cardiac sounds, there are additional sounds called murmurs. This is typical in infants, but it may occasionally indicate an issue with the heart's architecture. You can also feel your baby's pulses in their groynes. This indicates the circulation of your infant.

5.Listening to your baby's lungs.To make sure your baby's lungs sound sound healthy and clear, this is done.

6.Examine the abdomen of your child (abdomen). This is done to make sure your kid doesn't have an enlarged liver, spleen, or any other unusual belly swellings.

7.Examining your baby's skin for rashes, birthmarks, colour, and texture.

8.Examination of your baby's hips.This test is used to rule out developmental dysplasia of the hip, a condition that affects how the hip joint develops.

9.Examination of your baby's scrotum (in boys).The testicles (also known as tests) are checked in the scrotums of all babies to make sure they are both there. Some newborns may have undescended testes, which should be checked again when they are a few months old to make sure it doesn't persist and require treatment.

10.Examination of your baby's back passage (anus) and genitalia.To see if they appear normal, do this. Your baby's pooing habits will be another thing your doctor wants to know.

11.Examination of your baby's back.Your baby's back may be felt by your doctor to check for straightness.

12.Measurement of your baby's head and weight. Your baby's weight and the circumference around his or her head will be measured. If they haven't been done recently by another healthcare provider, this is done. Your baby's red book has measures that are put on graphs to show the physicians how your baby is developing.

13.Check your baby's development.This will involve assessing their tone to make sure it is not too flabby for someone of their age. Typically, your infant will be grinning, beginning to recognise you, and responding to your voice. Additionally, they must to be able to raise their heads. Don't worry too much if your kid can't accomplish this; especially if they were born preterm, all babies develop at various speeds. Your doctor or health visitor can offer advice.

You will also be asked basic questions regarding your baby's development and eating habits during the six- to eight-week checkup. You can express any worries or ask any questions you may have regarding your baby at this session.