Nose
Expected findings:
- Nostrils patent bilaterally
- Obligate nose breathers
- No nasal discharge
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Common variations:
- Sneezes to clear nostrils
- Bridge appears absent
- Thin white nasal mucus discharge
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Signs of potential distress or deviations from expected findings:
- Choanal atresia and discharge
- Malformation
- Nasal flaring beyond first few moments after birth
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Mouth and Throat
Expected findings:
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- Uvula midline
- Minimal or absent salivation
- Tongue moves freely and does not protrude
- Well developed fat pads bilateral cheeks
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- Sucking reflex
- Rooting reflex
- Gag reflex
- Extrusion reflex
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- Mucosa moist. Shortly after birth may visualize sucking calluses on central portions of lips.
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 Photo used with permission* |
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 Photo used with permission* |
Common variations:
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- Epstein's pearls on ridges of gums
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 Photo used with permission* |
Signs of potential distress or deviations from expected findings:
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- Cleft lip or cleft palate
- Circumoral pallor
- Lip movement asymmetrical
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- Reflexes absent or incomplete
- Protruding tongue
- Diminished tongue movement
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|
 Photo used with permission* |
|
 Photo used with permission* |
Neck
Expected findings:
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- Short and thick
- Turns easily side to side
- Clavicles intact
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- Tonic neck reflex present
- Neck-righting reflex present
- Some head control
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Signs of potential distress or deviations from expected findings:
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- Torticollis-stiff neck drawing head to one side
- Resistance to flexion
- Webbing of neck
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- Large fat pad on back of neck
- Palpable crepitus, movement with palpation of clavicle
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* Photo used with permission of Mead Johnson (1978). Variations and Minor Departures in Infants. Nutritional Division Mead Johnson & company, Evansville, Indiana. |