Harry is Caucasian and was a full-term newborn whose arrival was induced two days before his due date because he had ceased to grow in the womb.
Following a nine-hour labour, Harry was born with the umbilical cord wrapped once around his neck. His colour was purplish and he briefly needed medical attention before being given to his mother to hold. His Apgar score was 7 at one minute, 9 at five minutes, and he finally scored 10 when he was ten minutes old.
Harry weighed 3kg (6lb 10oz) at birth. His full body length was 51cm (197/8 inches) and his head circumference was 34cm (131/4 inches).
Transferring the measurements to the centile charts in his medical records, this placed him at the 9th centile for weight, the 25th centile for length, and between the 9th and 25th centiles for head circumference.
Harry has dark hair and eyes, and his lips are a noticeably deep red. There was very little of the natural lubricant vernix caseosa remaining on Harry's skin. He accepted the breast very quickly and fed strongly soon after delivery.
Harry was given vitamin K via an injection shortly after birth, with the agreement of his parents.
During a routine scan at 20 weeks gestation, Harry had been identified as having a misformed kidney. This condition was closely monitored throughout the latter half of his prenatal development. He started receiving antibiotics shortly after his birth to ensure that his good kidney remains in perfect health and that urinary tract infections do not occur.
Harry will have a scan at 12 days old to enable his consultant paediatrician to decide what, if anything, needs to be done.
Questions 1 What is the Apgar score and why might Harry have lost 'points'
initially?
2 What are the benefits of the centile charts?
3 Why are parents encouraged to allow their infants to receive vitamin K shortly after birth?
By Sandy Green, an early years consultant and freelance trainer. She is also Harry's grandmother.
