An APGAR (Appearance Pulse Grimace Activity Respiration) score is a quick assessment designed to indicate the condition of the baby after birth. Referring to the APGAR scoring method, point allocations are as follows:

Heart rate of less than 100: 1

Good flexion: 2

Frown (reflex): 1

Irregular respirations: 1

Pink skin color: 2

We add these to get the final APGAR score of 7.

An APGAR (Appearance Pulse Grimace Activity Respiration) score is a quick assessment designed to indicate the condition of the baby after birth. Referring to the APGAR scoring method, point allocations are as follows

Heart rate less than 100: 1

Poor flexion: 0

Absent reflex: 0

Apnea: 0

Pallor: 0

We add these individual scores to get the APGAR score of 1.

It is common for infants to lose up to 10% of their weight in the first week of life. Greater than a 10% loss indicates a problem. For an infant within these parameters, there is no need to make a change in feedings. Infants in the first week of life should be fed every 2-3 hours if breast feeding and every 3-4 hours if formula feeding. 

The anterior fontanelle is commonly referred to as the "soft spot" located atop a child's head. It allows considerable brain growth until it closes, generally between 12-18 months. However, the fontanelle may close on some children as early as 9 months.

Crying is considered a late sign of hunger. By the time the infant cries, they may be more difficult to console or to feed, especially if breastfeeding. Feed on cue when the infant is rooting, making sucking motions, or when they are frequently bringing their hands to their face or mouth.

It is normal for infants to breathe irregularly. Often, brief periods of apnea are present. Infants should breathe between 30 and 60 times per minute. For this purpose, noting the finding as a vital sign in the patient's chart is the correct action. No further intervention is necessary in response to a normal assessment.

The question describes the rooting reflex. The Moro reflex is shown when an infant is startled and/or feels loss of support as if he/she is falling. He/she will extend the arms above the body in a curved shape. The Babinski reflex occurs in response to stimulation of the sole of the foot. Typically, the large toe will extend or remain extended as the others move. Infants may also exhibit plantar grasp with application of pressure to the foot. In plantar grasp, the toes will flex inward. Infants displaying palmar grasp will close their fingers around an object placed in their hand.

Hard or firm stools are abnormal for an infant on their third day of life. Typically, infants will have meconium (dark, sticky) stools for the first several days as a result of amniotic fluid ingestion. Over the next couple days they will transition to a seedy yellow (breastfed infants) or peanut butter consistency (formula-fed infants). Acrocyanosis, blue color on the extremities, is normal in infants. Mottling is also common. Infants have a developing cardiovascular system and many capillaries that exist close to the surface of the skin. Milia are normal white spots that frequent the faces of newborns. It is important not to pick or scratch these white spots to prevent scarring. Infants are also frequently born with fine hair called lanugo covering the body's surfaces. Some babies may be born with more lanugo than others.

Hyperpigmented nevi have been previously called "Mongolian spots". They occur most commonly in dark skinned children and fade as the child ages. They are often mistaken for bruises. Sturge-Weber syndrome is a neurological disorder which is present at birth and associated with port-wine stain birthmarks.

Examine the eardrum of infants and toddlers by pulling down on the ear lobe. Examine the eardrum of an older child by pulling up on the outer pinna. Additional help from colleagues or caregivers may be necessary when examining small or upset children.