Recent advances in technology have made direct radiographic magnification of the newborn [human] infant clinically feasible. A microfocus radiographic tube and a rare-earth, high-speed recording system were combined to obtain > 2000 radiographs at magnifications of 2-2.5.times.. Special positioning devices permitted imaging of even those infants confined to incubators and connected to life-supporting systems. When quantitatively compared to 3 conventional contact radiographic systems with respect to resolution, contrast and noise, magnification radiography showed overall superiority of image characteristics. Definition of subtle abnormalities and anatomically small structures permitted diagnoses which could not be made from conventional images. Infant radiation exposure was markedly less (15 mR [3.9 mC/kg] maximum skin exposure) than that with conventional contact radiographic systems (24 mR [6.1 mC/kg] to 45 mR [11.6 mC/kg]).