NORMAL NEONATES

INTRODUCTION

        A health infant born at term should have an average birth weight for the country cries, immediately following birth, establishes independent rhythmic respiration and quickly adapts to the changed environment.

        The weight is very variable from country to country but usually exceeds 2500gm. In India, the weight varies between 2.7 to 3.1kg with a mean of 2.9 kg. The length is 50-52 cm. The length is a more reliable critersion of gestational age than the weight. Head circumference measures about 35 cm and the biparietal diameter measures about 9.5 cm.

DEFINITION

        A healthy infant born at term (between 38-42 weeks) should have an average birth weight for the country, cries immediately following birth, establishes independent rhythemic respiration and quickly adapts to the changed environment.