For most infants, the first physical exam occurs several hours after birth.  For complicated deliveries, the Pediatrician may be present at the delivery itself.  Upon delivery of the infant, the newborn is immediately dried and warmed.  The baby is monitored for normal breathing and vital signs.  Infants are evaluated by a nurse or other practicioner immediately after birth.  APGAR scores are often used to measure the baby's performance at 1 minute, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes after birth.  If there are no complications, the baby may be placed in the mother's arms and may breastfeed as soon as the infant and mother are ready.  Infants are taken to the newborn nursery for the first bath and for evaluation by a pediatrician.

Your baby's first evaluation by a physician is a major step for ensuring a smooth transition from the hospital to the baby's new home.  A thorough history and physical exam are necessary for determining if the infant is ready for the "real world."  Many severe medical problems are not immediately apparent in the newborn nursery.  Your physician must pay close attention to clues that may indicate a problem that may develop after the baby is sent home from the hospital.  Often the mother is recovering from the delivery and is too tired and distracted to fully evaluate her infant.

Hip dysplasia is a group of disorders that affect the joint between the pelvis and the femur in newborn infants. In most cases there is only mild looseness of the hip joint. However some infants may be severely affected, having total dislocation of one or both of these joints. Hip dysplasia occurs in approximately 5 to 20 out of 1000 infants at birth.  All infants should be checked shortly after birth for instability of the hip joint. If the diagnosis is missed shortly after birth, it may be more difficult to treat the disorder later. Hip dysplasia can be discovered by a physical exam.  Ultrasound of the hip joints may be useful also. Treatment of the hip dysplasia involves the use of a harness for several weeks or longer.