Newborn Baby Assessment (NIPE) – OSCE Guide

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This guide aims to provide a structured approach to performing a newborn baby assessment (NIPE) in an OSCE setting.

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Background

The Newborn Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) must be performed within 72 hours of birth by a qualified practitioner.¹

The purpose of the examination of the newborn is: ²

• To screen for congenital abnormalities that will benefit from early intervention
• To make referrals for further tests or treatment as appropriate
• To provide reassurance to the parents

A second examination is performed at 6-8 weeks of age, usually by GP, to identify abnormalities that develop or become apparent later.

Where to perform the NIPE

The NIPE exam should be undertaken in a private area which provides confidentiality for parents when personal information is being discussed.

The room should be warm and well lit (preferably natural light, especially if jaundice is to be assessed).² Visual inspection, however, cannot reliably assess the level of jaundice so if this is suspected a bilirubin level needs to be checked. ³

You’ll ideally require a changing mat to carry out the examination on.

Always make sure that the parents are present for the newborn check as this is an ideal time to answer queries and provide reassurance.

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Introduction

Wash your hands and don PPE if appropriate (alcohol gel must dry completely before handling the newborn).

Introduce yourself to the parents including your name and role.

Confirm the infant’s name and date of birth.

Briefly explain what the examination will involve using patient-friendly language: “Today I need to carry out a routine head to toe examination of your child.”

Gain consent to proceed with the examination:

• Parents should have received the National Screening Committee leaflet ‘Screening tests for you and your baby’ in the antenatal period.
• If the parents have not read the information booklet they must be given a copy to read before to the examination.
• The aims and limitations of the examination should be fully explained.

Adequately expose the child for the assessment: ask the parents to undress the child down to their nappy.

Encourage the parents to ask questions during the check and to participate where appropriate.

The optimal way to perform the newborn check is by examining from head to toe sequentially. In reality, it’s an opportunistic examination – if the baby is settled listen to their heart first, if they open their eyes check the fundal reflexes and if they’re crying look at the palate!

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Questions to ask the parents

Below are some key points you would ideally cover in a full assessment of a newborn baby. It should be noted that in the context of an OSCE you are unlikely to be expected to cover all these history points due to time constraints.

Maternal history:

• Pregnancy details: date/time and type of delivery/complications/high-risk antenatal screening results
• Breech presentation: if breech at 36 weeks gestation or delivery (if earlier), the baby will need to have an ultrasound scan of their hips as there is an increased risk of developmental dysplasia of the hip.
• Risk factors for neonatal infection
• Abnormalities noted on antenatal scans
• Family history: first-degree relatives with…hearing problems/hip dislocation/childhood heart problems/congenital cataracts/renal problems

Newborn history:

• Feeding pattern
• Urination
• Passing of meconium
• Parental concerns

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Weight

Ensure that the infant’s weight is recorded and check on a weight chart whether the baby is:

• Small for gestational age (<10th centile)
• Appropriate weight for gestational age (10th-90th centile)
• Large for gestational age (>90th centile)

If a baby is small, you should also plot head circumference and length to determine whether this is symmetrical (small in all measurements) or asymmetrical (weight disproportionately low, head circumference preserved).

Asymmetrical growth restriction is commonly due to placental insufficiency, whilst symmetrical growth restriction is more commonly due to fetal factors such as genetic abnormalities or intrauterine infection.

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General inspection

Inspect the colour of the infant:

• Pallor: a pale colour of the skin that can suggest underlying anaemia (e.g. haemorrhage) or poor perfusion (e.g. congestive cardiac failure).
• Cyanosis: a bluish discolouration of the skin due to poor circulation (e.g. peripheral vasoconstriction secondary to hypovolaemia) or inadequate oxygenation of the blood (e.g. right-to-left cardiac shunting).
• Jaundice: a yellowish or greenish pigmentation of the skin and whites of the eyes due to high bilirubin levels (e.g. newborn jaundice).

Inspect the posture of the infant: note any gross abnormalities of posture (e.g. hemiparesis/Erb’s palsy).

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Tone

Assess tone by gently moving the newborn’s limbs passively and observing the newborn when they’re picked up (your assessment of tone should continue throughout the examination).

Hypotonic infants are often described as feeling like a ‘rag doll’ due to their floppiness. Hypotonic infants often have difficulty feeding, as their mouth muscles cannot maintain a proper suck-swallow pattern or a good breastfeeding latch (hypotonia is common in children with Down’s syndrome).

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Head

Size

Measure the infant’s head circumference and record it in the notes.

Shape

Inspect the shape of the head and note any abnormalities.

Inspect the cranial sutures and note if they are closely applied, widely separated or normal.

Fontanelle

Palpate the anterior fontanelle: note if it feels flat (normal), sunken or bulging (abnormal).

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Skin

It is very important to document any birthmarks or bruising/lacerations from birth trauma found on initial examination in case there are any child protection concerns in the future. There are body maps in the red book to help with this.

Colour: inspect the colour of the skin and note any pallor, cyanosis, erythema or jaundice.

Bruising/lacerations: note the location and size of any bruises or lacerations which may have been sustained during childbirth.

Vernix: a waxy or cheese-like white substance found coating the skin of newborn babies (this is a normal finding).

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Face

Appearance: note any dysmorphic features of the face (e.g. epicanthic folds in Down’s syndrome).

Asymmetry: note any asymmetry of the face (e.g. facial nerve palsy secondary to instrumental delivery).

Trauma: note any evidence of facial trauma (e.g. bruising, lacerations) likely to have occurred during labour (e.g. instrumental delivery).

Nose: inspect to assess the patency of the nasal passages (infants are obligate nasal breathers and therefore will present with respiratory distress and cyanosis at rest if they have bilateral choanal atresia).

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Eyes

Inspect the eyes for evidence of erythema or discharge (e.g. conjunctivitis).

Inspect the sclera by gently retracting the lower eyelid noting any discolouration (e.g. jaundice, subconjunctival haemorrhages). Subconjunctival haemorrhages often look dramatic but are fairly common after delivery and benign, you should, however, document their presence.

Inspect the position and shape of the eyes: look for evidence of ptosis or the presence of epicanthic folds (e.g. Down’s syndrome).

Fundal reflex

Assess for the fundal reflex in each eye:

1. Look through the ophthalmoscope, shining the light towards the patient’s eye at a distance of approximately one arm’s length.

2. Observe for a reddish/orange reflection in each pupil, caused by light reflecting back from the vascularised retina.

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Ears

Inspect the pinna: note any asymmetry, skin tags, pits or the presence of accessory auricles.

All infants should undergo a hearing screening test prior to being discharged from hospital.

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Mouth and palate

Look for clefts of the hard or soft palate: the full palate should be examined by visual inspection. You will need to use a tongue depressor and a torch, and ask a parent to help keep the baby’s head still. You must visualise the whole palate, and see the central uvula to ensure it is intact. You cannot rely on palpation to exclude a cleft.

Inspect the tongue and gums: look for evidence of tongue-tie (ankyloglossia).

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Neck and clavicles

Inspect the length of the neck and note any abnormalities such as webbing: a shortened webbed neck is typically associated with Turner’s syndrome.

Inspect for neck lumps: a lump in the left posterior triangle of the neck may represent a cystic hygroma.

Look for evidence of a clavicular fracture: signs may include bruising, discontinuity of the clavicle and an abnormal position of the arm (fractures most commonly occur in the context of shoulder dystocia).

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Upper limbs

Assess the symmetry of the upper limbs: they should appear equal in size and length.

Inspect the fingers: count the fingers and note any abnormal morphology (e.g. polydactyly).

Inspect the palms: check if the child has two palmar creases (normal).

Palpate the brachial pulse on each upper limb: note any asymmetry suggestive of an underlying vascular abnormality (e.g. coarctation of the aorta).

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Chest

Inspection

Observe the chest, paying particular attention to the respiratory rate and work of breathing.

Respiratory rate

Count the respiratory rate whilst observing the child. The normal respiratory rate of a newborn is 40-60 breaths per minute.

Work of breathing

Assess for signs of increased work of breathing:

• Difficulty feeding
• Expiratory grunting
• Tracheal tug
• Supraclavicular recession
• Intercostal recession
• Subcostal recession
• Nasal flaring
• Abdominal breathing
• Head bobbing (secondary to sternocleidomastoid contractions)

Other clinical signs

Inspect the chest for other relevant clinical signs:

• Pectus excavatum: a caved-in or sunken appearance of the chest.
• Pectus carinatum: protrusion of the sternum and ribs.
• Asymmetrical chest wall expansion: asymmetry may be noted unilateral lung pathology (e.g. pneumonia).

Auscultation

Lungs

Auscultate each side of the chest in a symmetrical pattern, comparing side to side:

• Pay attention to the inspiratory and expiratory sounds at each placement.
• Note the quality and volume of the breath sounds.
• Note any additional sounds (e.g. wheeze, coarse crackles).
• Repeat auscultation on the posterior aspect of the chest.

Heart

Auscultate ‘upwards’ through the valve areas using the diaphragm of a paediatric stethoscope:

• Mitral valve: 5th intercostal space – midclavicular line (apex beat)
• Tricuspid valve: 4th or 5th intercostal space – lower left sternal edge
• Pulmonary valve: 2nd intercostal space – left sternal edge
• Aortic valve: 2nd intercostal space – right sternal edge

Listen over each area with both the bell (for low pitched sounds – gallops and split S2) and the diaphragm (high pitched sounds – pericardial rubs, S1/S2 and most murmurs).

The normal heart rate of a newborn is approximately 120-150 bpm.

If a murmur is noted, try to determine where it is heard loudest and if it radiates anywhere.

Pulse oximetry

Some centres recommend checking preductal and postductal oxygen saturations to improve detection of critical congenital heart disease in newborn infants. Both readings should both be ≥95% and within 3% of each other.

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Abdomen

Inspection

Inspect for evidence of abdominal distension: causes include bowel obstruction, organomegaly and ascites.

Inspect the umbilicus: note any swelling (e.g. umbilical hernia) or erythema and discharge  (e.g. umbilical cord stump infection).

Inspect for evidence of an inguinal hernia in the groin: if present, arrange a paediatric surgical review.

Palpation

Palpate the abdomen to assess for organomegaly:

• Liver: should be palpable no more than 2cm below the costal margin (if palpable lower in the abdomen consider hepatomegaly).
• Spleen: may be palpable at the left costal margin in healthy infants (if easily palpable, consider splenomegaly).
• Kidneys: normally only palpable using deep bimanual palpation (if easily palpable consider polycystic kidney disease).
• Bladder: should not be palpable in healthy infants (if easily palpable, considering urinary tract obstruction).

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Genitalia

Note any ambiguity of genitalia: typically associated with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in girls (boys with CAH have normal genitalia).

Males

Assessment of male genitalia:

• Note the position of the urethral meatus: an abnormal position may be noted in hypospadias or epispadias.
• Note the size of the penis: it should be at least 2cm.
• Assess for evidence of testicular swelling indicative of hydrocele: a collection of fluid around the testicle (the swelling will transilluminate when a light source is placed nearby).
• Palpate the scrotum to ensure both testes are present: a unilateral undescended testis is common and should be followed up over time; bilateral absence is considered a disorder of sexual development and should be investigated.

Females

Assessment of female genitalia:

• Inspect the labia: to check they are not fused.
• Inspect the clitoris: to ensure it is a normal size.
• Note any vaginal discharge: white discharge is a normal finding, caused by exposure to maternal oestrogens.

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Lower limbs

Inspect the lower limbs for abnormalities:

• Asymmetry: the lower limbs should appear equal in size and length.
• Oedema: may indicate hypoalbuminaemia or congestive cardiac failure.
• Ankle deformities: talipes (club foot) is a common ankle deformity causing the foot to be turned inward.
• Missing digits: ensure the correct number of digits are present on each foot.

Assess tone in both lower limbs: tone is typically decreased in infants with Down’s syndrome and may be asymmetrically increased secondary to upper motor neuron lesions (e.g. ischaemic stroke, intracranial haemorrhage).

Assess movement in both lower limbs: note any weakness which may indicate an upper or lower motor neuron lesion or joint pathology.

Assess the range of knee joint movement: typically excessive in hypermobility.

Palpate and compare femoral pulses: this can be difficult, particularly in an active baby, and requires practice. Weak, absent or delayed femoral pulses are a sign of coarctation of the aorta.

Hips

Both Barlow’s and Ortolani’s tests are carried out as part of the routine newborn examination to detect hip joint instability and dislocation. Each hip should be examined individually with all clothing, including the nappy, removed.

Barlow’s test

Barlow’s test is performed by adducting the hip (bringing the thigh towards the midline) whilst applying light pressure on the knee with your thumb, directing the force posteriorly. ⁶

If the hip is unstable, the femoral head will slip over the posterior rim of the acetabulum, producing a palpable sensation of subluxation or dislocation.

If the hip is dislocatable the test is considered positive. The Ortolani manoeuvre is then used to confirm the positive finding (i.e. that the hip actually dislocated).

Ortolani’s test

Ortolani’s test is used to confirm posterior dislocation of the hip joint. ⁷

1. Flex the hips and knees of a supine infant to 90°.

2. With your index fingers placing anterior pressure on the greater trochanters, gently and smoothly abduct the infant’s legs using your thumbs.

A positive sign is a distinctive ‘clunk’ which can be heard and felt as the femoral head relocates anteriorly into the acetabulum.

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Back and spine

Inspect the spine for:

• Scoliosis
• Hair tufts
• Naevi
• Birthmarks
• Sacral pits

Hair tufts and sacral pits can be associated with underlying neural tube defects (e.g. spina bifida).

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Anus

Inspect the anus for patency: abnormal embryological development of the rectum can result in an imperforate anus.

Meconium should be passed within 24 hours: a delay is suggestive of obstruction or Hirschsprung’s disease.

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Reflexes

Assess the newborn’s reflexes

Assess a selection of the following reflexes which should all be present in a healthy newborn. The absence of several reflexes may indicate an underlying neurological abnormality.

Palmar grasp reflex

When an object is placed in the infant’s hand and strokes their palm, the fingers will close and they will grasp it with a palmar grasp.⁸

Sucking reflex

Causes the child to instinctively suck anything that touches the roof of their mouth, absence of this reflex is most apparent during feeding.

Rooting reflex

Present at birth and disappears around four months of age, as it gradually comes under voluntary control.  A newborn infant will turn its head toward anything that strokes its cheek or mouth to aid breastfeeding. ⁹

Stepping reflex

When the soles of the infant’s feet touch a flat surface they will appear to walk by placing one foot in front of the other.¹⁰

Moro reflex

Support the infant’s upper back with one hand, then drop back once or twice into your other hand. A normal Moro reflex involves the extension of the legs and head whilst the arms jerk upwards with the fingers extended. The arms are then brought together and the hands clench into fists, and the infant cries. Asymmetry may be due to hemiparesis, brachial plexus injury or a fractured clavicle.

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To complete the examination…

Explain to the parents that the examination is now finished and offer to dress the baby.

Share the results of the assessment with the parents, explaining the reason for any referrals you feel are required.

Check if the parents have any further questions.

Thank the parents for their time.

Dispose of PPE appropriately and wash your hands.

Summarise your findings

Document your findings and the need for further investigations/referrals: in the UK the NIPE is documented using a national online system (which you would print and place in the baby’s notes).

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Reviewer

Dr Rebecca Naples

Paediatric Registrar

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Illustrator

Aisha Ali

Medical student and illustrator

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References

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