This overview explores newborns' physical characteristics, such as skin color variations, jaundice, and birthmarks, and their behavioral development milestones like rolling over and walking. It also delves into the physiological adaptations necessary for survival outside the womb, including the initiation of breathing and kidney function. Additionally, it discusses innate reflexes present at birth and the characteristics that define high-risk newborns, including the impact of teratogens and the need for specialized care.
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Newborns may have reddish or slightly blue skin due to blood circulation, jaundice, or the presence of vernix caseosa
Drying and Falling Off
The umbilical cord typically dries and falls off within one to three weeks after birth
Newborns may have birthmarks and lanugo, a soft downy hair, covering their body
Newborns achieve milestones such as rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and walking between four months and one year of age
These milestones indicate a child's neurological and physical growth and provide opportunities for further development
There is considerable variability among individuals in achieving developmental milestones
Newborns must clear amniotic fluid from their lungs and start air breathing, sometimes requiring medical assistance
The renal system begins to function independently, with the kidneys maturing over time to effectively filter waste from the blood
The gastrointestinal system becomes active, processing breast milk or formula, and the newborn passes meconium within the first few days after birth
The rooting reflex prompts an infant to turn their head toward a touch on the cheek, facilitating feeding
The sucking reflex enables the baby to feed effectively
Newborns also have the palmar grasp, Moro, and tonic neck reflexes, which aid in motor coordination and development
High-risk newborns may be predisposed to health or developmental challenges due to environmental influences, inadequate maternal nutrition, or exposure to teratogens
Teratogens, such as alcohol, can lead to a range of outcomes, from physical malformations to cognitive and behavioral issues
High-risk newborns may require specialized care and monitoring for conditions such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
00
______, a condition where the skin and eyes turn yellow, is common in newborns due to excess ______.
Jaundice
bilirubin
01
The ______, a protective white substance, may still be present on a newborn's skin after delivery.
vernix caseosa
02
A newborn's head might be oddly shaped after birth due to the ______, but it usually returns to normal on its own.
birth canal
