The first examination of the baby: what do young parents need to know?


The birth of a child is accompanied by the need for routine medical procedures in the first days of life. These activities are aimed at early detection of congenital pathologies and assessment of the overall development of the newborn.
Timely diagnosis allows you to correct hidden disorders in time and avoid serious complications in the future. Parents need to understand the structure and sequence of the first examinations.
Neonatal screening and hospital check-up
The first assessment of the baby's condition is carried out immediately after birth on the Apgar scale at the first and fifth minutes of life. A neonatologist checks your heart rate, breathing patterns, muscle tone, reflexes, and skin color.
In the first three days, blood is taken from the baby's heel in the maternity hospital for neonatal screening. This test detects severe genetic diseases, including cystic fibrosis and phenylketonuria.
The maternity ward examination program also includes mandatory hardware tests.:
- audio screening for hearing testing using a special portable device;
- pulse oximetry to exclude hidden congenital heart defects;
- ultrasound examination of the brain through an open fontanel.
The results of the tests are recorded in the newborn's exchange card, which the mother receives upon discharge. The pediatrician will need this information at the first home visit. Home monitoring is being replaced by a planned visit to a children's polyclinic, where a deeper study of the child's health is carried out.
Mandatory visits of specialists in the first month
After discharge from the hospital, the baby's health is monitored by a district pediatrician and a foster nurse. They monitor the healing of the umbilical wound, evaluate weight gain and give recommendations on care.
At the age of one month, the child undergoes a comprehensive medical examination in a children's clinic. Parents will have to visit several specialized specialists to confirm the proper development of body systems.
The list of mandatory consultations for the first month of life includes examinations by the following doctors:
- a pediatric neurologist to assess the development of the nervous system and innate reflexes;
- pediatric orthopedic surgeon to exclude hip dysplasia;
- a doctor of ultrasound diagnostics to perform a comprehensive ultrasound of the abdominal organs.
Additionally, an ophthalmological examination of the fundus is performed every month to detect signs of retinopathy. A timely visit to the doctors reduces the risk of missing critical moments in the development of the baby. In order to undergo examinations without unnecessary stress, parents need to properly organize the process of visiting the clinic.
Preparation for routine medical procedures
Visiting a polyclinic requires prior preparation to reduce stress in an infant. It is recommended to feed the baby 30 minutes before the start of the appointment, so that he behaves calmly during the examination.
You must bring a spare diaper, wet wipes, two disposable diapers and a change of clothes with buttons for quick undressing. It is better to put the documents, including the compulsory medical insurance policy and the birth certificate, in a separate folder.
All the results of examinations and referrals for vaccinations are recorded in the child's medical record. Regular visits to routine checkups guarantee control over the harmonious development of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems of the baby. 1xBet se distingue par la diversité de ses méthodes de paiement, adaptées aux besoins des joueurs du monde entier. Pour profiter pleinement de l'offre de bienvenue, il vous suffit d'utiliser le code promo 1xbet lors de votre enregistrement sur la plateforme. Ce code vous garantit un bonus de 100% jusqu'à 130€ sur votre premier dépôt. Vous pouvez approvisionner votre compte via des moyens locaux comme Orange Money, Wave, ou MTN en Afrique, UPI ou Paytm en Inde, ou encore par carte bancaire, portefeuilles électroniques et cryptomonnaies.
Mike Londan
Mike Londan
Mike Londan is a senior music writer at TuneInsights.com. Mike is passionate about music and has been covering the music industry for over three years.