A newborn girl’s father expresses concern that the newborn does not have good control of...

(A) Term neonates are predominantly in a flexed position with strong active muscle tone that increases. Newborns are slightly hypertonic. (B) Neonatal movements may be jerky and uncoordinated as the neonate works against gravity in contrast to the buoyancy of the amniotic fluid. Jerky movements must be differentiated from the tremors of hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, and neurological dysfunction. (C) Growth of the newborn progresses in a cephalocaudal, proximal-distal fashion. Knowledge regarding infant development may facilitate parental involvement and infant stimulation. (D) Asymmetrical movements of the extremities are indicative of neurological dysfunction.