Neonate

Definition

A neonate (newborn) is an infant from birth through 28 days (4 weeks) of life. This period includes critical physiologic transitions and highest pediatric mortality risk.

Key Assessments

• APGAR at 1 and 5 minutes (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration; 0 to 10)
• Ballard score for gestational age
• Vital signs: HR 120 to 160, RR 30 to 60, temp 36.5 to 37.5°C
• Length, weight, head circumference
• Primitive reflexes (Moro, root, suck, grasp, Babinski)

Common Transitions

• Respiratory: first breath establishes lung expansion
• Cardiovascular: closure of ductus arteriosus and foramen ovale
• Thermoregulation: brown fat metabolism
• Glucose homeostasis: risk of hypoglycemia (BG less than 40 mg/dL)

Nursing Priorities

Airway, thermoregulation, identification, vitamin K IM, erythromycin eye ointment, hepatitis B vaccine, newborn screening, hearing screen.

NCLEX Relevance

APGAR scoring, first feeding for hypoglycemia, routine interventions.