NCM 107 – ASSIGNMENT Pedia – Ma’am Zeani

Prepared for a graded recitation on the following topic:

1. Profile of a newborn
2. Vital statistics
3. Vital Signs

Profile of the Newborn

 The weight of newborns varies according to their race, genetics, and
nutritional factors.
 To determine if the newborn’s weight is appropriate for its gestational
age, a neonatal graph should be used in plotting the newborn’s weight.
 Plotting the height and head circumference of the newborn also helps
determine any disproportions.
 The average birth weight for a mature female newborn in the United
States is 3.4kg or 7.5 lbs, and for the mature male newborn is 3.5 kg or
7.7 lbs.
 For all races, the normal weight is 2.5 kg or 5.5 lbs.
 The newborn loses 5% to 10% of its birth weight during the first few
days of life, then has 1 day of stable weight, and gains weight rapidly
afterward.
 The newborn must gain 2 lbs per month for the first six months of life.
 The average birth length of mature female newborns is 53 cm or 20.9
inches. The mature male newborn has an average birth length of 54 cm
or 21.3 inches.
 A mature newborn has a head circumference of 34 to 35 cm.
 Head circumference is measured with a tape measure drawn across
the center of the forehead and around the most prominent part of the
posterior head.
 The chest circumference in a mature newborn is 2 cm less than the
head circumference.
 Chest circumference is measured at the level of the nipple using a tape
measure.
Vital Statistics
Parameter Average
Weight 6.5 to 7.5 lbs (2.9 kg to 3.4 kg)
Length 50 cm (20 in)
Head circumference 33 to 35 cm (13 to 13.7 in)
31 to 33 cm or 2cm less than head
Chest circumference circumference

Abdominal circumference 31 to 33 cm
Vital signs
Vital Sign Immediately At Birth After Birth
Temperature 36.5 to 37.2 Celsius
Pulse 180 beats/minute 120-140
beats/minute ave.
Respiration 80 breaths/minute 30-50 breaths/minute
Blood Pressure 80/46 mmHg 100/50 mmHg (by
10th day)
Adjustment to Extrauterine Life
 The newborn’s color on the first 15 to 30 minutes of life is still
acrocyanotic, and after 2 to 6 hours, there are quick color changes that
may occur with movement or crying.
 The temperature within the first 15 to 30 minutes after birth falls from
the intrauterine temperature of 100.6⁰F or 38.1⁰C then stabilizes at 37.6⁰C
after 2 to 6 hours.
 The rapid heart rate of as much as 180 BPM on the first 15 to 30
minutes of life will have wide swings in rate with activity as it slows to
120-140 BPM.
 The newborn’s respirations are irregular in the first few minutes of life,
then slows to 30-60 breaths per minute after 30 minutes and will
become irregular again only during activity.
 The newborn would be alert in the first 15 to 30 minutes of life, and
later on, will alternate between the sleeping and awakening phases.
  Just a few minutes after birth, the newborn would respond to
stimulation vigorously but would be difficult to arouse while it is still on
a resting period until it becomes responsive again 2 to 6 hours after
birth.
 The bowel sounds can be heard after the first 15 minutes of life and
becomes present afterward.

Appearance of the Newborn

Newborn Appearance

 Increased concentration of red blood cells in newborns, and decreased

amount of subcutaneous fat gives them a ruddy complexion.
 In the first month, this ruddy complexion slightly fades.
 A pale and cyanotic newborn signifies that she may have poor
central nervous system control.
 A gray color in newborns may indicate infection.
 Acrocyanosis is normal in a newborn, wherein the hands, feet, and lips
are bluish in color.
 Central cyanosis, however, is a cause for concern as this may indicate a
decrease in oxygenation.
 Jaundice appears on the second or third day of life as a result of the
breakdown of fetal red blood cells.
 Early feeding to speed the passage of feces through the intestine and
prevent reabsorption of bilirubin from the bowel may diminish
physiologic jaundice.
 Pallor in newborns is a sign of anemia, and the newborn must be
watched closely for signs of blood in the stool or vomitus.
 Harlequin sign or when a newborn who is lying on his or her side
appears red on the dependent side and pale on the upper side does
not have a clinical significance.
 Vernix caseosa or the white cream cheese-like substance is washed
away in the first bath, but never rub harshly as it will only come off
gradually.
 Lanugo or the fine, downy hair that covers the shoulders, arms and
back of the newborn would be rubbed away by the friction of the
bedding and clothes of the newborn.
 A white, pinpoint papule called milia can be found in some newborns,
mainly on the cheek or the bridge of the nose, and they disappear by 2
to 4 weeks of age.
 The fontanelles or the spaces or openings where the skull bones join
are soft spots on the newborn’s head.
o The anterior fontanelle is located between the two parietal
bones and the two frontal bones which gives it a diamond
shape, and normally closes at 12 to 18 months of age.
o The posterior fontanelle is located at the junction of the
parietal bones and the occipital bone and is triangular in
shape, and closes at the end of the second month.
 Newborns cry tearlessly until three months of age when the lacrimal
ducts mature.
 Birthmarks
o Hemangiomas are vascular tumors of the skin.
o Nevus flammeus are muscular purple or dark red lesion.
Generally appear on the face and thighs.
o Strawberry hemangiomas—elevated areas formed by
immature capillaries and endothelial cells.
o Cavernous hemangiomas—these are dilated vascular
spaces.
o Mongolian spots—slate gray patches across the sacrum or
buttocks and consist of a collection of pigment cells.
o Forceps marks—these are circular or linear contusion
matching the rim of the blade forceps on the infant’s cheeks.
  Permanent eye color appears on the 3rd to 12th month of age.
 The newborn’s external ear is not yet fully formed, and the top part of
the external ear should be on a line drawn from the inner canthus to
the outer canthus of the eye and back across the side of the head.
 The newborn’s nose tends to look large for the face but the rest of the
face will grow more than the nose does.
 The newborn’s mouth must open evenly when he or she cries.
VITAL STATISTICS – baby’s weight, length, head and chest circumferences
AVERAGE NEWBORN VITAL STATISTICS
Length 46-54 cm
Head circumference 34-35 cm
Chest circumference 32-33 cm
weignt 25 to 3,4 kg