title: The newborn examination: part II. Emergencies and common abnormalities involving the abdomen, pelvis, extremities, genitalia, and spine.
abstract: Careful examination of the neonate at delivery can detect anomalies, birth injuries, and disorders that may compromise successful adaptation to extrauterine life. A newborn with one anatomic malformation should be evaluated for associated anomalies. If a newborn is found to have an abdominal wall defect, management includes the application of a warm, moist, and sterile dressing over the defect, decompression of the gastrointestinal tract, aggressive fluid resuscitation, antibiotic therapy, and prompt surgical consultation. Hydroceles are managed conservatively, but inguinal hernias require surgical repair. A newborn with developmental hip dysplasia should be evaluated by an orthopedist, and treatment may require use of a Pavlik harness. The presence of ambiguous genitalia is a medical emergency, and pituitary and adrenal integrity must be established. Early diagnosis of spinal lesions is imperative because surgical correction can prevent irreversible neurologic damage.
authors.affiliation: Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Mamta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fuloria
authors.forename: Shelley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kreiter
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000002:abnormalities; D001132:Arm / Q000002:abnormalities; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004630:Emergencies; D005835:Genitalia / Q000002:abnormalities; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007866:Leg / Q000002:abnormalities; D010388:Pelvis / Q000002:abnormalities; D010808:Physical Examination; D013131:Spine / Q000002:abnormalities