PAGE 2 OF THE BLUE CARD WILL OUTLINE THE AREAS THAT NEED COVERING-this is the card that is used at National women's hospital -check at your cohort to see if their card is the same.

Where possible you should try to examine the baby with the parents present and it is important to give them a true account of the baby's physical state. Examination at birth will establish a baseline. Close examination will detect any abnormalities and if found will require the baby to be appropriately referred for treatment to minimise morbidity. Here are some abnormalities that you may encounter.

BlueCard [open in new window|view inline]

Click the thumbnail for a larger image of abnormalities.

These images are taken from one of the recommended resource books (Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women's Health) that should be available with the administrator at your cohort.

Section 8 The newborn infant and postnatal care inObstetrics, Gynaecology and Women's Health. Vivienne O'Connor and Gabor Kovacs (Eds).pp306-307

Cambridge University Press.

General examination points

Measurements: weight, length and head circumference, plot
Overall inspection, including dysmorphism
Respiratory and heart rates
Activity levels, colour, fetal malnutrition, post dates

Detailed examination points

Head - anterior & posterior fontanelles, sutures

Face - eyes for red reflex, coloboma, epicanthic folds, nose, choanal atresia, ears-shape and placement, mouth-fully inspect with light
Neck - sternomastoid muscles, rotation of head
Chest

- Asymmetry, thoracic cage defects and spinal scoliosis

-Apex beat

- Auscultation of lungs and heart (CXR if required)