Final answer:
Newborns, or neonates, may require immediate medical care post-birth to address respiratory and systemic changes, assessed by the Apgar score. The neonatal period involves adjustments in body temperature regulation, respiration, and nutrition intake. Vaccinations, including the recommended MMR vaccine, are important for protecting newborn health, and safety concerns linked to them have been disproven.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some newborns without any apparent risk factors may require immediate medical care after birth, even if they seemed healthy in utero. This care is often determined by the Apgar score, which assesses a newborn's wellbeing following the transition from the womb to the outside environment. A newborn, or neonate, undergoes substantial respiratory and systemic changes post-birth. Adjustments include shifting from receiving oxygen through the placenta to breathing air through the lungs, maintaining body temperature, and receiving nutrition through feeding rather than the umbilical cord. The neonatal kidneys are immature and inefficient at concentrating urine; hence, newborns produce very dilute urine and require adequate hydration from breast milk or formula. Should the Apgar score be low, indicating potential distress or medical issues, immediate interventions may be provided to assist the newborn in achieving stable homeostasis.
Vernix or lanugo may cover the newborn's skin, which is part of the typical appearance of a neonate alongside a relatively large head and distinctive body proportions. Healthcare providers monitor vital signs and general health to prevent potential homeostatic imbalances that could affect the newborn's viability outside the womb.
Vaccinations, such as the ones recommended for baby Juan, play a crucial role in safeguarding the health of newborns by providing immunity against various infectious diseases. Despite the misinformation circulating online, extensive peer-reviewed studies have confirmed the safety and efficacy of vaccines for children, including the MMR vaccine which has been erroneously linked to autism in a fraudulent study.