Core Concepts: Neonatal Neurological Examination

The neurological examination is an important tool in the evaluation of a newborn, helping to establish a diagnosis, and providing prognostic information. Neurological disorders may be apparent before birth or appear during the course of the neonatal period. The neonatal neurological examination varies by gestational age and state, which makes the examination a changing and dynamic process. This article reviews the essentials of the neonatal neurological examination, the presence of examination findings based on gestational age, normal and abnormal physical examination findings, and how the examination helps to identify various disorders.