Mother-child Pass: First To Third Examinations Of The Child

2023 Author: Wallace Forman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 18:19

Mother-child pass: 1st - 3rd examination of the child

The first examination of the newborn takes place immediately after birth. The so-called basic examination for newborns is carried out in the first week of life. In order to identify congenital hearing disorders as early as possible, it is recommended that a so-called hearing screening be carried out in the first week of life of the newborn. A general and an orthopedic examination are planned for the third mother-child pass examination.

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• 2. Examination in the first week of life
• 3rd examination in the 4th to 7th week of life

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1. Examination of the child after birth

The doctor or midwife assess the most important vital functions such as breathing, heartbeat, healthy skin color and reflexes (APGAR test) of the child. The child's height, weight and head circumference are measured.

For detailed information about the first examination of the newborn after birth, see Newborn examination.

In addition, all newborns are examined for rare congenital diseases as part of a screening program. This examination should ideally be carried out within the first week of life. A few drops of blood are removed from the infant with a small prick in the heel and applied to a filter card. This card will be sent by the hospital or your midwife (for home births) to the laboratory, where the blood will be examined.

2. Examination in the first week of life

Vitamin K is important for blood clotting and is involved in bone formation. After birth and in the first few months, newborns suffer from a vitamin K deficiency because they received too little of it via the placenta or obtained from breast milk.

Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium and prevents softening of the bones (rickets). With the help of sunlight, the skin produces vitamin D. In the first few months of life, the infant's own production of this vitamin may not be sufficient, so the infant should receive vitamin D from the second week of life. In order to detect congenital hearing disorders as early as possible, it is recommended that a so-called hearing screening be carried out in the first week of life of the newborn.

Note Hearing screening for newborns is not offered nationwide in Austria. Check with your pediatrician.

An ultrasound scan of the hip joint is also planned within the first week of life of the newborn. This enables hip joint diseases to be identified early and, if necessary, treated. The hip ultrasound is usually performed in the hospital. After a home birth, the parents can contact the pediatrician or an orthopedic surgeon for this examination.

Who is conducting the investigation?

The basic examination for newborns takes place in the hospital at the time of the hospital birth. In the case of an outpatient birth or a home birth, the basic examination is carried out by a pediatrician or a general practitioner. The hip exam is important and should be done by an orthopedic surgeon.

3rd examination in the 4th to 7th week of life

A general and an orthopedic examination are planned for the third mother-child pass examination. The doctor first repeats all measurements from the first examination: the reflexes are checked, the eye reactions and hearing are tested, the heart and lungs are listened to and the spine is assessed.

The doctor also asks about the child's eating habits:

• Will the child be breastfed?
• Did the mother observe drinking difficulties?
• Does the child have to vomit more often?

The doctor also checks whether the child is moving in an age-appropriate manner:

• Can the child lift its head and turn it to the side in the prone position?
• Can the child turn back and forth while lying on its back?

Note The doctor will inform you about vaccinations that are recommended according to the vaccination schedule. It is up to the parents to decide whether the child should be vaccinated. If they agree, the vaccination can be carried out at the next examination appointment. For detailed information on vaccinating, see Immunization for Infants and Young Children and Immunization for Children - Decision Making Guide.

Orthopedic examination

During the orthopedic examination, restrictions or undesirable developments in the musculoskeletal system can be identified and treated. The doctor will carry out the following examinations:

Examination of the head and neck:

• Assessment of facial symmetry
• Assessment of the proportions of the face
• Can the head be tilted?

Examination of the spine and chest:

Can inequalities (asymmetries) be found in the spine or the chest?

Examination of the legs and feet:

• Are the legs the same length?
• Can incorrect foot postures - such as heel or sickle foot - be identified?

The doctor also checks the hip joints to identify possible malformations. If an ultrasound scan of the hip joint was not done at the first check-up, it will be done now

Who is conducting the investigation?

The examination of the child between the fourth and seventh week of life, including the orthopedic examination, can be carried out by paediatricians, general practitioners, in the specialist outpatient clinics for paediatrics and by doctors in the mother or parent counseling centers. The orthopedic examination part can also be carried out separately by an orthopedist.