This video demonstrates a head-to-toe physical examination procedure for a neonate (newborn up to 28 days old), focusing on identifying potential congenital abnormalities and assessing overall health status. The examination covers physical assessment, vital signs, and specific reflexes.

Initial Setup and Head Examination
📌 The examination begins with handwashing and ensuring the environment is safe, removing sharp objects or large hazards near the baby.
👶 Head assessment includes checking for sutures and fontanelles (soft spots), noting that pulsations here are normal due to incomplete bone fusion.
🔺 Look for molding (cone-shaped head) which results from the birth process.
👀 Eyes are checked for formation, alignment relative to the nose, and discharge; light reaction should be tested by dimming room light, not using a direct flashlight.

Face, Mouth, and Neck Examination
👃 Nose inspection checks for the structure, presence of a septum, and any discharge, especially noting potential clefting extending into the mouth.
👄 Mouth examination involves assessing moisture and checking reflexes: the rooting reflex (turning the head toward a cheek stimulus) and the sucking reflex (sucking on a finger placed on the lips).
👅 Palate inspection (using gloved hands) confirms the absence of a cleft palate which could interfere with feeding.

Chest and Cardiovascular Assessment
💨 Respiratory assessment involves inspecting chest movement for symmetry and checking for accessory muscle use (e.g., shoulder shrugging during inhalation) or chest wall retractions.
❤️ Cardiovascular assessment includes palpating the point of maximal impulse (below the nipple) and calculating the heart rate over 30 seconds, multiplied by two.
⏱️ Capillary Refill Time (CRT) is assessed by pressing lightly on a digit; normal return of color should be less than two seconds.

Abdomen and Elimination System
📏 Abdominal inspection notes if the abdomen is slightly elevated compared to the chest and examines the umbilicus for bleeding or infection, noting normal detachment usually occurs around 7 days.
👂 Abdominal assessment follows the order: inspection, percussion (to map organ borders), auscultation (listening for bowel sounds in 4–9 areas), and finally, gentle palpation.
⚖️ Palpation checks for the liver edge (right side) and spleen (left side), and assesses the bladder for distension (suggesting urinary issues).

Extremities, Reflexes, and Skin Assessment
💪 Muscle tone is observed by noting the baby's activity level; active movement suggests good tone, while lethargy suggests potential issues.
🤸 Extremity assessment checks for completeness and normal length; checking the spine for straightness is also critical.
🤝 Reflexes examined include the tonic neck reflex (head following body movement), grasp/palmar reflex (gripping a finger placed in the palm), and the Moro reflex (startle reflex).

Anthropometric Measurements
📏 Anthropometric measurements are taken when the baby is naked: weight, length, head circumference, chest circumference, abdominal circumference, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC).
📏 Length measurement should ideally use a measuring board to ensure accuracy, as tape measures can be less precise.

Skin and Temperature Assessment
🌡️ Skin inspection checks color, moisture, and for lesions (e.g., birth trauma bruising).
💧 Turgor is tested by gently pinching the abdominal skin; normal return should be less than two seconds.
🔥 Temperature is measured using an electronic thermometer placed in the axilla (armpit), ensuring the probe is properly seated and held securely.

Key Points & Insights
➡️ Perform handwashing and environmental safety checks before starting the neonate physical exam.
➡️ Test sucking and rooting reflexes early as they are crucial indicators of neurological function and feeding ability.
➡️ Calculate heart rate and respiratory rate over 30 seconds and multiply by two for accuracy in neonates.
➡️ Palpation of the abdomen is performed last (after inspection, percussion, and auscultation) to minimize discomfort and potential interference with bowel sounds.

📸 Video summarized with SummaryTube.com on Oct 08, 2025, 07:33 UTC