Comprehensive Development Check at 2-Month Exam

Physical Growth Assessment

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends measuring and plotting complete vital signs including height, weight, and head circumference on standard growth curves (WHO or CDC) 1

At 2 months, infants are expected to lift their head and chest while in prone position, as assessed by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1, 2
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends observing spontaneous motor function, posture, and symmetry of movement to assess gross motor skills 3
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests noting any asymmetry in movement or tone which may indicate neuromotor concerns 4
Fine motor skills at 2 months include hand movement and unfisted hands, as observed by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1, 5

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends performing a cranial nerve examination including eye movements, pupillary reactivity, and facial expressions 3
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests assessing muscle tone, strength, and deep tendon reflexes as part of the neurological examination 3

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends checking for red reflexes (should be detectable and symmetric) as part of the vision screening 3
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests evaluating response to auditory stimuli as part of the hearing screening 6

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends providing anticipatory guidance about expected developmental milestones for the next visit 1
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests discussing the importance of tummy time for motor development 1
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends explaining the next expected milestones (by 4 months: rolling over prone to supine, supporting on elbows and wrists in prone, hands unfisted, playing with fingers in midline, grasping objects) 1, 5

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests considering using standardized developmental screening tools such as Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-III) if there are any concerns 7

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends correcting for prematurity when assessing development in infants born before 36 weeks gestation to avoid overestimation of developmental delays 4
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests being aware of subtle signs of neuromotor concerns such as asymmetry in movement or tone 3
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends conducting the examination when the infant is not tired or stressed to yield accurate results 4