When a newborn is tapped on head, what exam is this called?!
Question: When a newborn is tapped on head, what exam is this called?
Newborns are tapped on the head, is this done for reflex?
Answers:
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Dr's do this to check development of the newborn after birth. They are then rated on a scale. This is called APGAR. They check reflex, breathing, color etc.The exam is called APGAR. They check the soft spot for injuiry after birth.
I have 2 kids this is my own expierience.
The doctor will tap the top of the crown to see if the soft spot has started to close or is closed. The soft spot on the head is needed in delivery and also for head growth in the baby's skull. It is a very delicate area and needs to be protected from injury as much as possible but the doctor has to see if it is healing properly and what sound it makes to him so that is why he taps that part. I have no clue why they would tap any other part of the skull.
There is no tapping of a newborns head to test reflexes, I'm curious to know why you think this. The fontanelle's or the soft spots are actually very very tough and aren't as delicate as used to be thought. Even in a older infant when assessing the closure of the fontanelle's it head is not tapped.