Each column will include questions about important points in the development of a healthy infant, and the answers will be provided in the following month's column.
The first day
Jasmine is Caucasian and was born three days after her due date, weighing 2780g (6lb 2oz). As she was a full-term infant, she was considered to be small. Jasmine was delivered by ventouse suction and she scored a nine on the Apgar chart at both one minute and five minutes, due to her feet and hands (extremities) remaining blue in colour.
Immediately after delivery, Jasmine was very alert, looking intently at those around her and remaining awake for two hours. Jasmine had a considerable amount of vernix still present, with lanugo hair over her shoulders and on her back and ears. No birthmarks were noted. Due to the amount of mucus also present, Jasmine was bathed at just under one hour old. She appeared very content when being handled and within the warm water.
Jasmine's hair and eyes were both very dark. Her hair appeared to be curly. The unusually long length of her fingers was remarked upon. She instinctively gripped tightly anything that touched her hands (a reflex action), but appeared unsure how to suck and did not root for the breast (also, usual reflex action). Jasmine's head circumference was 34cm and her length 54cm.
Jasmine was given a 1ml Vitamin K injection at birth. Jasmine's blood sugar levels were checked three-hourly due to her small-for-date status. These tests indicated slightly lower than average levels. She was also slightly jittery. As Jasmine was not sucking at the breast well, she was given a few millilitres of formula via a sterile cup every two to three hours following each attempt by her mother to breastfeed.
Questions
1 Why is Vitamin K offered at birth?
2 What impact might the introduction of the formula feed have had on the establishment of breastfeeding?
3 Where would Jasmine be placed on the centile growth charts?
By Sandy Green, an early years lecturer and Jasmine's grandmother