General Examination
Posture: The normal healthy newborn demonstrates flexion of the legs and arms when supine. Lack of this posture might indicate hypotonic conditions such as Down Syndrome or neurologic or muscle disease.
Cyanosis: Mild cyanosis is normal at birth but after the first few minutes of life, the child's tongue and mucous membranes should be pink. Peripheral cyanosis (acrocyanosis) might persist for one to two days. Persistent central cyanosis suggests an obstructed airway, respiratory disease, cardiac anomalies, neurologic depression, and rarely methemoglobinemia.
Jaundice: Jaundice is common after the second day of life. The presence of jaundice within the first 24 hours of life suggests a hemolytic process, and is always abnormal.
