Question

describe the head to toe assessment would be an infant born at week 37 gestation? what is used to determine this gestatiinal age? what is the scale used to determine aphar score

Answer 1

Head to toe assessment of an infant born at 37 weeks' gestation : -

• Head : flat fontanels, soft, edema absent, redness absent, abrasions absent.
• ​​​​​​Eyes : Normal eyes and reactive to light ( PERRLA ). Round and equal pupils. White Sclera and no drainage.
• Ears : symmetrical, reacts to sound, recoil, no drainage, and no skin tags.
• Mouth : intact palate, moist and pink in color.
• Abdomen : not distended, soft, bowel sounds present.
• Skin : warm, dry, pink, no rashes, and no abrasions.
• Cord : clamp on, dry and moist.
• Heart sounds : normal, no murmur.
• Lung sounds : clear and equal.
• Brachial and femoral pulses : equal and strong.
• Genitals : normal
• Reflexes : Moro, sucking, plantar, and Babinski reflexes are present.
• Vital signs : Heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and temperature are normal according to age.
• Moves all extremities.
• Alertness : normal
• Feeding : normal

The Ballard assessment is used to determine the gestational age.

APGAR Scoring system :

APGAR Score is determined by assessment of the following indicators :-

• Activity (muscle tone) : 0 - absent, 1 - flexed arms and legs, 2 - active
• Pulse : 0 - absent, 1 - below 100 bpm, 2 - above 100 bpm
• Grimace (reflex irritability) : 0 - floppy, 1 - minimal response to stimulus, 2 - prompt response to stimulus
• Appearance (skin color) : 0 - Blue, pale, 1 - pink body, blue extremities, 2 - pink
• Respiration : 0 - absent, 1 - slow and irregular, 2 - vigorous cry

​​​​​​​APGAR Score 7 to 10 : normal

APGAR Score 4 to 6 : fair condition and may require some resuscitation measures

APGAR Score below 4 : poor condition and requires immediate medical care