NEWBORN CARE. 5. Routine Medications: single IM dose of 0.
5-1 mg of vitamin K1
(Phytonadione), given to all newborn within 6hours of birth, this
Immediate care of the newborn prevents Vit. K deficient bleeding.
6. Immunization and Vaccines: Hepatitis B vaccine is given at birth.
Care at birth Essential newborn care 7. Screening of the newborn: (a) Glucose screening and detecting
hypoglycemia, especially for infant of diabetic mothers, SGA and LGA
• Soon after the delivery of the baby = received with clean dry linen with the
infants; (b) Bilirubin Screening.
head slightly downward (15º), facilitate drainage of the mucus
accumulated in the tracheobronchial tree by the gravity. 8. Assessment of vital signs: RR, HR, Axillary temperature are
• Air passage (oropharynx) = should be cleared of mucus and liquor by recorded every 6-8 hours. Each of urine and stool output is recorded-
gentle suction. newborn pass urine by 24 hours and meconium by 48 hours of life.
• Apgar scoring (1 and 5 mts). Daily weights are recorded.
• Clamping and ligature of the cord = cord clamped by 2 Kocher’s forceps,
9. Breastfeeding: 8-12 times/day.
5cm away from umbilicus and is cut in between.
• Delay in clamping = for 2-3 mts or till cessation of the cord pulsation, it
facilitates transfer of 80-100ml blood from the compressed placenta to a
baby when placed below the level of uterus. Early clamping to be done in INFANT GROWTH ASSESSMENT:
Rh-incompatibility (to prevent antibody transfer from mother to the baby. WEIGHT: weight loss of 7-10% in the first week of life. Weight gain
generally begins by the second week. Average daily weight gain is 20-30
g/day. Infant should be weighed daily.
ESSENTIAL NEWBORN CARE.
LENGTH: normal weekly length gain is 0.8-1.0 cm for first 8-12 weeks.
[Link]-in.
HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE: intrauterine growth is 0.5-0.8 cm/week.
2. Baby Bath: it’s delayed until the baby is able to maintain body temperature,
excess vernix caseosa, blood or meconium are wiped off from the skin using
sterile moist swab, water temperature (>95.5ºF). MECHANISMS OF HEAT LOSS ARE:
3. Umbilical cord care: exposed to air, allowed to dry to promote early • Radiation.
detachment. Topical antiseptics or antibiotics such as triple dye or Neosporin
powder to applied to reduce bacterial colonization. • Conduction from the infant to the surface in direct contact.
4. Eye care: kept clean with cotton wool soaked with sterile NS as a • Convection from the infant to the surrounding area.
prophylaxis against Opthalmia Neonatorum (Chlamydia, Gonococcus). • Evaporation of water from the skin.
Erythromycin ointment (0.5%) or Tetracycline ointment (1%).
CONSEQUENCES OF HYPOTHERMIA ARE:
CONSEQUENCES OF EXCESSIVE HEAT LOSS: • DIC.
• Compensatory heat production through increase in metabolic rate. • Pulmonary Hemorrhage.
• Insufficient oxygen supply→Hypoxia→Anaerobic metabolism. • Shock.
• Hypoglycemia. • IVH.
• Metabolic Acidosis. • Increased Mortality.
• Apnea and, • MEASURES TO PREVENT HEAT LOSS ARE:
• Pulmonary Hypertension. • Place baby under pre-heated (36.5ºC) radiant warmer (Servo-Control)
immediately following delivery.
• Dry baby immediately after birth.
• Cover baby (including the head) with pre-warm towel.
• Put baby close to mother breast (KMC).
• Wrap the baby and mother together.
• Commence early breastfeeding.
