Newborn Care in Ahmedabad — Neonatal Assessment and Monitoring
The first days and weeks of a newborn’s life involve a sequence of critical assessments, screenings, and interventions that establish the foundation for lifelong health. At Balaji Horizon Women’s Hospital, our neonatology team provides immediate newborn care at delivery, inpatient neonatal monitoring, NICU capability for babies requiring intensive support, and structured outpatient newborn follow-up appointments. Every baby born in our hospital receives systematic, evidence-based assessment from the moment of delivery.
Delivery Room Care
At birth, the Apgar score is assigned at 1 and 5 minutes — assessing appearance (skin colour), pulse (heart rate), grimace (reflex response), activity (muscle tone), and respiration. Scores above 7 at 5 minutes indicate good condition; scores below 7 trigger neonatal resuscitation. Our team is trained in NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Programme). Vitamin K (0.5–1 mg IM or 2 mg oral) is administered to all newborns to prevent haemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Birth weight, length, and head circumference are measured and plotted on growth charts.
Routine Newborn Examination
A full head-to-toe physical examination is completed within 24 hours of birth and repeated at discharge. This includes assessment of fontanelle tension, clavicle integrity (for birth trauma), palate integrity (cleft palate), cardiac auscultation, abdominal palpation, genitalia, hips (Barlow and Ortolani tests for developmental dysplasia of the hip), spine, and skin. Peripheral pulses and capillary refill are checked for signs of cardiac or circulatory compromise. Any abnormality detected is discussed with parents immediately.
Newborn Jaundice — Assessment and Management
Physiological jaundice appears after 24 hours in approximately 60% of term and 80% of preterm newborns, peaking at days 3–5 and resolving by 2 weeks in most term babies. Transcutaneous bilirubin measurement (TcB) or serum bilirubin is used to guide treatment decisions using AAP/NICE hour-specific nomograms. Phototherapy is initiated at threshold bilirubin levels based on gestational age and risk factors. Pathological jaundice — appearing in the first 24 hours or persisting beyond 2 weeks — warrants investigation for haemolysis, sepsis, or metabolic causes. Our NICU provides intensive phototherapy and, where indicated, exchange transfusion capability.
Newborn Screening
Expanded newborn screening detects congenital metabolic disorders before symptoms appear, allowing early treatment. In India, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) screening for congenital hypothyroidism is the minimum standard, available at our hospital. Extended metabolic screening panels (including PKU, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, galactosaemia) are offered on parental request. Hearing screening using OAE (Otoacoustic Emissions) is offered to all newborns. Pulse oximetry screening for critical congenital heart disease is performed at 24–48 hours.
Vaccination Schedule
At birth: BCG (1 dose), OPV (birth dose), Hepatitis B (first dose). At discharge or by 6 weeks: all vaccines reviewed and next dose schedule provided. Our team follows the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) immunisation schedule and discusses optional vaccines (Rotavirus, PCV, IPV, Varicella) with parents. Vaccine hesitancy is addressed with evidence-based, patient-centred counselling.
Newborn Feeding and Weight Monitoring
All newborns lose weight in the first 3–5 days (physiological weight loss up to 7% of birth weight is normal; up to 10% is acceptable). Weight recovery to birth weight by 10–14 days is expected. Babies losing more than 10% of birth weight, not recovering by 2 weeks, or showing signs of dehydration (sunken fontanelle, reduced urine output, extreme lethargy) require urgent assessment. Daily weight checks during inpatient stay and structured outpatient weight monitoring at 5–7 days and 2 weeks are standard.
Book newborn consultation: Call +91 +91 97234 31544 | Balaji Horizon Women’s Hospital, Science City Road, Ahmedabad.