This page describes the preventive examinations for newborns (U1 and U2). If you are looking for the preventive medical checkups U3, U4, U5, U6, U7, U9 and U9 please go to our page: Preventive medical checkups for children
Synonyms
U-examination, examination by pediatrician, U1-U9, newborn screening
Definition
A large and crucial area of pediatrics is the preventive medical checkups, the so-called “U’s”, whose regular performance is recommended by pediatricians. They serve to monitor the development and health of the child. The results of the preventive medical checkups are recorded in a yellow booklet, which is handed out to the parents by the midwife or doctor after the birth of the child.
At all examinations the doctor performs a thorough physical examination, furthermore the children are measured and weighed at each U and their head circumference is determined. The purpose of preventive examinations is to detect diseases and developmental delays that may occur in the child at an early stage so that treatment can be carried out in time. This is done with the aim of preventing permanent damage to the child (e.g. congenital hypothyroidism).
U 1
The U1 is the newborn initial examination in the first minutes of the child’s life. It is carried out by the pediatrician, who checks the following aspects of the newborn respiration, heartbeat, muscle tone, reflexes and skin color. In the first, fifth and tenth minutes after birth, the doctor records the child’s heart and respiratory rate, checks muscle tension and reflexes and evaluates the child’s skin color (skin color assessment, etc.).
In addition, newborns receive oral vitamin K prophylaxis to prevent bleeding (the same is done for U2 and U3). The baby is also measured and weighed. The doctor also examines the baby for possible malformations: The child’s extremities are examined and all body orifices are checked to ensure that they are correctly positioned: When the amniotic fluid is aspirated, the paediatrician checks the patency of the oesophagus and when the rectal fever is measured, a malformation of the intestinal outlet would be noticed.
