Newborn

Newborn or neonate refers to an infant who is only hours, days, or up to a few weeks old. In medical contexts, newborn or neonate (from Latin, neonatus, newborn) refers to an infant in the first 28 days after birth; the term applies to premature, full term, and postmature infants.

Characteristics

Newborns, especially in their first week, have many special characteristics. For example, it is not uncommon for a newborn to have irregular breathing, soft spots on their head (fontanelles), and a small amount of fine hair (lanugo).

Health

The health of a newborn is often assessed with the Apgar score, a quick test performed at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. The Apgar score ranges from 0 to 10, with 10 being the best possible condition for a newborn. The score is based on heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color.

Care

Newborn care, also known as neonatology, is a medical specialty focused on the care of newborns, particularly those who are ill or premature. Newborns who need intensive medical attention are often admitted into a special area of the hospital called the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

See also

• Infant
• Childbirth
• Pregnancy

References

Newborn Resources
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