HOME HELP CONTACT US SUBSCRIPTIONS CME ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Versión de esta artículo en PDF Take the CME quiz: Vol. 27 No. 3, March 2006 Supplemental Data Supplemental Data Rapid Responses: Submit a response Rapid Responses: View responses Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Rapid Responses are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services E-mail this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My File Cabinet Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Stellwagen, L. Articles by Boies, E. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Stellwagen, L. Articles by Boies, E. Related Collections Fetus and Newborn Infant

(Pediatrics in Review. 2006;27:89-98.)
© 2006 American Academy of Pediatrics

Care of the Well Newborn

Lisa Stellwagen, MD^*
Eyla Boies, MD

^* Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology; Director of the Well Baby Unit, University of California, San Diego, Medical Center, San Diego, Calif
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Division of General Academic Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, Medical Center, San Diego, Calif

Key Words: AAP: American Academy of Pediatrics • CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • GBS: group B Streptococcus • HBV: hepatitis B virus • HIV: human immunodeficiency virus • IUGR: intrauterine growth restriction • LGA: large for gestational age • SGA: small for gestational age • SIDS: sudden infant death syndrome • US: ultrasonography • VCUG: voiding cystourethrography

The first 300 words of the full text of this article appear below.

	Objectives

 
After completing this article, readers should be able to:

1. Describe the purpose of the prenatal visit.
   
2. Recognize the significance of common abnormalities found on prenatal ultrasonography.
   
3. Discuss the importance of growth and maturity assessment as well as the careful examination of the newborn.
   
4. Delineate prevention strategies for hepatitis B, syphilis, and group B streptococcal infections.
   
5. Explain the basics of car seat safety and sudden infant death syndrome prevention in the newborn unit.
   
6. List the basic tenets of providing breastfeeding support for the breastfeeding mother and infant.
   
7. Explain appropriate outpatient follow-up for the healthy newborn.
   

	Introduction

 
Recent advances in obstetrics and pediatrics have brought about numerous changes in the care of the healthy newborn and have led to a re-evaluation of old routines, a commitment to helping mothers breastfeed their infants exclusively, and improvements in infant medical care and safety. In this article, we review the care of the newborn, including issues of antenatal testing, the prenatal visit, delivery, care on the postpartum/newborn unit, discharge from the hospital, and the first outpatient visit, emphasizing contemporary practices.

	Prenatal Visit

 
The most important focus of the prenatal visit is to begin a positive relationship with the parents. In addition, data can be recorded about pertinent medical and psychosocial history and potential high-risk situations, and basic education of the family regarding their newborn can begin. The clinician needs to address the following:

• The mother’s medical and pregnancy history, including any history of depression and use of medication, tobacco, or other substances
  
• Maternal and paternal family medical history, including ethnicity, history of atopy, diabetes, neonatal jaundice, and children who have birth defects or serious illness
  
• Social history, including parental employment, education, planned maternity/paternity leave, and the individuals who will be the support system for the expectant parents
  
• Feeding plan and discussion of current breastfeeding recommendations
  
• Anticipatory guidance
  
• Routine . . . [Full Text of this Article]