Development
Indicator - I
A. Just after birth your baby's physician will examine
or apply the following ----
· Weigh the baby. New baby's weigh would be about 5
½ to 10 lb.
· Measure baby's length. Generally, a newborn is
between 18 inch to 22 inch.
· Measure head circumference. Head circumference of a
newborn is from 12.9 inch to 14.7 inch.
· Examine passage of Urine and stool.
· Count fingers of hand and toes.
· Apply eye drop or ointment to prevent infection.
Development Indicator - II
B. Apart from the above observations a test known as
APGAR Test should be done to be assured of the
condition of the baby.
The test is done at 1 minute and five minutes after
birth. The tests are done by superficial observation
and attributing points against the observation.
Points allowed different observations are given in
brackets against the observations.
There are five such
observations:
1. Color
2. Pulse
3. Reflex irritability
4. Activity
5. Respiration.
On Colour:
Point 2 is attributed for pink colour
Point 1 is attributed when the body is pink and
extremities are blue.
Point 0 is attributed when the appearance is pale or
blue.
On pulse beat:
2 points for pulse beat over hundred
1 points for pulse beat below hundred
0 points for pulse not detectable
On reflex irritability:
2 points for lusty cry
1 point facial expression
0 Point no for no response to stimulation
On Activity:
2 point for a lot of activity
1 point for movement of legs and hands
0 point for no or weak activity
On respiration:
2 points for good respiration (crying),
1 point for slow respiration
0 points for feeble respiration
As for example, a baby having pink appearance gets 2
points, for pulse beat below 100, gets 1 point, for
good response to irritability 2 points, for some
movement of extremities gets 2 points and for good
respiration gets 2 points, the baby's total score is 8
out of 10, which denotes excellent condition of the
baby.
Score under 4 is poor condition. Of course research
shows that baby's scoring less than 4 may turn our to
be healthy. Responsible mother should consult
physician when the score is below 4.
Development Indicator - III
C. A more complete examination after 24 hours after
birth should be done by the physician attending the
baby. These are ---
1. Examination of internal organs such kidneys, liver,
and spleen
2. Examination of hips, for possible dislocation
3. Examination of hands, feet, arms, legs, genitals
4. Examination of hearing.
Development Indicator - IV
D. Baby's Development Indicators after one month:
There are some major indicators, which indicates
development of a baby. Month-wise study of the
indicators will reveal that development is all right
or not. (See note at the end)
Click here to see
the Baby Monthly Development
Chart
Note:
* Premature babies
may show the above activities late, by the days they
have born earlier than the schedule date.
* In case a baby does not show the activities, in the
month specified, it is required to consult to be sure
that the baby does not have any physiological
disorder. In rare cases however delay in showing the
activities indicate any problem.
Source: "What To Expect The First
Year" by A. Eisenberg, H.E. Murkoff, S. Hathway.
Workman Publishing Company, New york.
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