Measure of a Newborn's Health

Pediatricians and other health care professionals rely on more than one measure of a newborn's health. However, the Apgar scale is typically the initial method used to evaluate a baby immediately after he or she is born.

If you've already been through a series of childbirth classes, you may be well aware of the Apgar scale. A newborn is evaluated and given an Apgar score at one minute and five minutes after birth. Typically, an infant is evaluated in five areas. Each of those areas are given a score of zero, one, or two. These areas include the following:

• Skin color-A baby who is blue all over would generally be given a zero. A baby who only has pink on the body not the extremities would be given a score of one. A baby who has a healthy, pink appearance all over would receive a two.
• Heart rate-An infant who is born without a heart rate would be given a zero. A slow pulse would typically register a one, and a fast heart rate would receive a score of two.
• Muscle tone-Limp muscle tone would probably be given a zero, while some movement would be given a one. Active movement would receive a two.
• Reflex response-No reflex response when given stimulation would receive a zero. An infant who grimaces during stimulation might be given a one, while an infant who cries and/or coughs during stimulation may be given a two.
• Breathing-An infant who is not breathing would be given a zero. Weak or irregular breathing would rate a one, while healthy respiration would receive a two.

Once each of these factors is evaluated, all of the scores are added up. Newborns typically don't need any health assistance if they receive an Apgar score of eight to 10. For those newborns who receive a score of five to seven, some assistance or help may be needed, such as oxygen. However, if your baby receives a score under five, he may need additional treatment. While the Apgar scale is typically used for healthy babies at one and five minutes after birth, babies who receive lower scores may continue to be evaluated after these initial evaluations and given updated scores.

Although the Apgar scale is certainly a common measure of a newborn's health, there are other measures that are used to evaluate the condition of an infant. Your baby will be given an extensive examination shortly after her birth. The examination generally includes the following:

• Head-This usually involves examining the shape of an infant's head. Keep in mind, however, that your baby's head could have a misshapen appearance simply because of her journey through the birth canal or because of the use of forceps to assist with the birth.
• Eyes-Your baby's eyes will examined, specifically to look for the presence of cataracts or any other eye problems.
• Hearing-Not all hospitals perform a hearing test on newborns, so ask your pediatrician if this is standard.
• Mouth-Your pediatrician will examine your baby's mouth to check for conditions such as a cleft palate or a tongue tie.
• Heart-Your doctor will listen to your infant's heart using a stethoscope. Unless any possible problems are indicated, this may be all that he does. However, if he suspects a heart murmur or other problem, he may do more testing or request a second opinion from a specialist.
• Lungs-Using a stethoscope, your pediatrician will listen to your baby's breathing patterns.
• Skin-Your baby's skin will be examined for any type of birthmark, such as a hemangioma or Mongolian spots.
• Genitals-While it is common for an infant's genitals to be swollen after birth, your doctor will still want to examine him or her to check for any abnormalities.
• Extremities-Your doctor will examine your child's hands, arms, legs, feet, fingers, and toes, looking for any abnormalities or any signs that might indicate a medical condition.
• Reflexes-A common examination will be given to check your infant's Moro reflex, which is the reflex that is caused by a fear of falling. To do this, the doctor will allow your infant's head to fall a short (and safe) distance and then watch for the Moro reflex, in which she should fling out her arms and legs. Other reflexes, such as sucking, will be examined as well.

Other areas that are usually examined include your baby's spine and hips, as your doctor checks for spine straightness and hip joint stability.

These are the common initial measures used to determine your newborn's health. You will usually be instructed to bring your infant in to your pediatrician's office at two weeks after birth and on a regular basis thereafter, in which many of these same examinations will continue to be given.

• Infant Car Seat Covers
• Elegant Dresses for Infants
• Baby Shower Cupcakes

• Baby Shower Cake Pictures
• Free Printable Baby Shower Games
• Baby Shower Invitation Wording
• Baby Shower Poems
• Baby Shower Sayings