Chest

Expected findings:

• Evident xiphoid process
• Equal anteroposterior and lateral diameter

• Bilateral synchronous chest movement
• Symmetrical nipples

Common variations:

• "Witch's milk"
• Enlarged breasts
• Accessory nipples

Signs of potential distress or deviations from expected findings:

• Asymmetrical chest movements
• Sternum depressed
• Marked retractions
• Absent breast tissue

• Flattened chest
• Supernumerary nipples
• Nipples widely spaced
• Bowel sounds auscultated

Abdomen

Expected findings:

• Dome-shaped abdomen
• Abdominal respirations
• Soft to palpation
• Well formed umbilical cord
• Three vessels in cord
• Cord dry at base

• Liver papable 2 - 3 cms below right costal margin
• Bilaterally equal femoral pulses
• Bowel sounds auscultated within two hours of birth
• Voiding within 24 hours of birth
• Meconium within 24 - 48 hours of birth

Common variations:

• Small umbilical hernia

Signs of potential distress or deviations from expected findings:

• Bowel sounds absent
• Peristaltic waves visible
• Abdominal distention
• Palpable masses

• Scaphoid-shaped abdomen
• Omphalocele
• Base of cord with redness or drainage
• Cord with two vessels