Importance of Neonatal Examinations

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Recommended: Of newborns require initial assessment at birth

Neonatal Examinations At birth the neonate goes through many physical changes (Fraser & Cooper, 2009). The most dramatic and difficult being when the newborn takes its first breath (Meeks & Hallsworth, 2010). This breathing triggers change within the heart, lungs, blood flow and every other system of the neonate (Coad & Dunstall, 2009). During the first few minute until 6 hours of life, the neonate is considered to be transitioning from intrauterine to extra-uterine life (Sinha, Miall, & Jardine, 2012). It is within this time that the neonate needs close observations to evaluate their progress into their new life, thus showing the importance of newborn examinations within neonatal care (Fraser & Cooper, 2009). Immediately at birth the APGAR examination is routinely performed (Queensland neonatal guide line, 2009). These examinations, usually done at one and five minute after birth, assess the newborns ability to adapt to extra-uterine life (Michaelides, 2012). APGAR scoring uses five different factors to assess the infant status: hear rate, respiration rate, efforts, muscle tone, reflex ability and colour (Fraser & Cooper, 2009). The APGAR scoring is checked periodically for several minutes to give an indication of how well the neonate is adapting to life and whether or not there ability is improving (Sinha, Miall & Jardine, 2012). APGAR scores are not functional predictor for future problems (Coad & Dunstall, 2009). Primarily low APGAR scores do not revile the whole story; the rapid changes that take place at birth, some may only need a few minutes or hours to settle (Farrell & Sittlington, 2009). This is one reason the reliability of this examination tool has been challenged on the account of several limitations (Kenner & ... ... middle of paper ... ...terine life (Michaelides, 2012). Midwives, paediatricians and parents rely on the findings from the various examinations to determine the appropriate actions when planning their care (Durham & Chapman, 2013). Research also suggests that midwives are best placed to perform the various newborn examinations because they interact with the mothers and the newborns from the time of birth (McDonald, 2008). Lomax and Evans (2005) recommend that midwives should go through additional training to enable them perform the assessments effectively. In conclusion, it can been seen that newborn examination play an important part is assessing the neonates well-being, and that midwives need to be equipped with the necessary skills to conduct such examinations and encouraged and involve the mothers or family members in the examinations as well as planning for the care of the newborns.

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