Chest

Expected findings

Evident xiphoid process
Equal anteroposterior and lateral diameter
Bilateral synchronous chest movement
Symmetrical nipples

Common variations

"Witch's milk"
Enlarged breasts
Accessory nipples

Signs of potential distress or deviations from expected findings

Asymmetrical chest movements
Sternum depressed
Marked retractions
Absent breast tissue
Flattened chest
Supernumerary nipples
Nipples widely spaced
Bowel sounds auscultated

Abdomen

Expected findings

Dome-shaped abdomen
Abdominal respirations
Soft to palpation
Well formed umbilical cord
Three vessels in cord
Cord dry at base
Liver papable 2 - 3 cms below right costal margin
Bilaterally equal femoral pulses
Bowel sounds auscultated within two hours of birth
Voiding within 24 hours of birth
Meconium within 24 - 48 hours of birth

Common variations

Small umbilical hernia

Signs of potential distress or deviations from expected findings

Bowel sounds absent
Peristaltic waves visible
Abdominal distention
Palpable masses
Scaphoid-shaped abdomen
Omphalocele
Base of cord with redness or drainage
Cord with two vessels