Newborn Check-up Recommendations

Physical Examination Components

A complete head-to-toe examination with careful attention to growth parameters, including weight, length, and head circumference, should be performed and plotted on appropriate growth charts, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics 3
Assessment of umbilical cord healing is essential, especially if a ligature or rubber cord ring was used instead of a clamp to prevent trauma, according to the British Journal of Dermatology 4
Evaluation of skin for jaundice should be quantified with transcutaneous bilirubin or total serum bilirubin measurement if present, as suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1, 2
Neurological assessment, including tone, posture, primitive reflexes, and spontaneous movements, is a crucial component of the physical examination, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, although the strength of evidence is not specified 3

Review of newborn screening test results is recommended if already available, as suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics, although the strength of evidence is not specified 3
For jaundiced infants, measurement of total and direct bilirubin levels is recommended, as suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1, 2
Additional testing, including blood type, Coombs' test, complete blood count, and smear, may be considered based on bilirubin levels, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1, 2

For infants with jaundice beyond 3 weeks or sick infants, measurement of total and direct/conjugated bilirubin is recommended to identify cholestasis, as suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1, 2
Checking results of newborn thyroid and galactosemia screening is recommended in infants with prolonged jaundice, as suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1, 2
For premature infants, growth assessments should be corrected for gestational age, as recommended by the American Thoracic Society 5
Proper wound care is essential for birth trauma wounds, including covering them with cling film or a non-adherent dressing to prevent further trauma, as recommended by the British Journal of Dermatology 4

Visual estimation of jaundice without objective measurement can lead to errors, particularly in darkly pigmented infants, as warned by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1, 2
Failing to interpret bilirubin levels according to the infant's age in hours can lead to misdiagnosis, as cautioned by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1, 2