| Word |
Description |
| (ACC) Agenesis of
the corpus callosum |
A congenital abnormality (a birth defect) in which there is
partial or complete absence (agenesis) of the corpus callosum, the area of
the brain which connects the two
cerebral hemispheres (the two halves of the
brain). |
| Anaemia |
Too few red blood cells. Anaemic babies may need blood
transfusions |
| APGAR Score |
A system of assessing the physical condition of a newborn at
1, 5 and sometimes 10 min after birth by assigning a value of 0, 1 or 2 to
each of five criteria:
heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, response
to stimuli, and skin color (blue, pink, pale). When added together the scores
range from 0 to 10.
Stands for Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity,
Respiration. |
| Apnoea |
A short period of time
when the baby does not take a breath.
Apnoea of Prematurity occurs in infants
who are born before 34 weeks of pregnancy and are unable to regulate their
breathing normally due to
their immature or underdeveloped brain or
respiratory system. It is accompanied by a change in facial colour and drop
in heart rate. |
| ASD - Atrial Septal
Defect |
a hole in the wall
between the two upper chambers of the heart |
| Aspiration |
The drawing in of foreign matter or other material in the
upper respiratory tract into the lungs.
Aspiration also refers to a medical
procedure in which fluids are sucked out of the lungs, nose, or mouth using a
suction device. |
| Bagging |
Helping the baby to breathe by connecting a special rubber bag
either to a mask over the mouth or to a tube in the trachea and lung. |
| Bilirubin |
A chemical created by the breakdown of the red blood cells.
A
large amount of this bilirubin in the body causes yellow colouring of the
skin and eyes (jaundice).
Nearly all babies have some form of jaundice,
including healthy full-term babies. |
| Bilirubin lights (bili
lights) |
Fluorescent lights that reduce jaundice; help break down the
bilirubin in the skin.
Baby is undressed to expose as much skin surface as
possible; the baby's eyes are covered with patches or a mask.
Also called
phototherapy. |
| Blood gas |
A test using a small
amount of blood to measure levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. |
| Bradycardia |
A slower than normal heartbeat; often occurs with apnoea. In
premature babies this is usually to less than 100 beats per minute. |
| (BPD) Broncho
Pulmonary Dysplasia |
A chronic lung disease (damage) resulting from damage to lung
tissue, which causes the lungs to trap air or collapse,
fill with fluid and
to trap air or collapse, fill with fluid and generate extra mucus thus making
breathing difficult and contributing to other health problems.
It most
commonly occurs amongst children who were born prematurely, with low birth
weights, and who were mechanically ventilated for a long period of
time(>28 days). |
| Breast Pump |
A manually or
electronically operated suction device used to extract milk from the breast.
Needed for expressing milk for tube fed babies. |
| Candida |
A yeast infection of skin and mucus membranes that occurs when
there is an imbalance of flora in the digestive or genital tracts.
Premature
babies are more susceptible to Candida infections due to the immaturity of
their immune systems and the large number of medical procedures to
which they
need to be subjected. |
| Catheter |
A tube which puts fluids into the body or drains fluids out. |
| Chest tube |
A tube inserted through
the chest wall; used to suction air and/or fluids from the chest. |
| (CPAP) Continuous Positive
Airway Pressure |
A continuous amount of
air, sometimes with added oxygen, is delivered through tubes in the baby's
nose to keep the airways of the lungs open as baby breathes. |
| Culture |
Taking a sample of blood or body fluids to test for germs
which may cause an infection. |
| Cyanosis |
A bluish colouring of the skin and lips caused by a low level
of oxygen in the blood. |
| Desaturation |
A decrease in the
oxygen saturation level of blood to below 85%. In most infants, oxygen is
adjusted to keep this level between 92 - 96%.
Commonly known as
“desat”. |
| (EBM) Expressed
Breast Milk |
Milk produced by manipulating the lactating breast, either by
hand or with a breast pump. |
| (ECMO) Extra Corporeal
Membrane Oxygenation |
supports both heart and lung functions when other treatments
are inadequate |
| (ECG) Electrocardiogram |
records activity of the
heart (also known as EKG) |
| Edema |
The collection of extra
fluid in body tissues, causing swelling or puffiness of skin. |
| (EEG)
ElectroEncephalagram |
measures brainwaves for seizure activity |
| Electrode |
A sensor which sends heartbeat and breathing information to
the monitor. They are usually placed on the chest. Also called leads. |
| Electrolytes |
Sodium, potassium, and chloride levels in the blood. Correct
levels of these chemicals must be present so that the body organs can
function properly. |
| (ET tube) Endotracheal tube |
A plastic tube inserted through the nose or mouth into the
trachea (windpipe) to help breathing; usually connected to a breathing
machine (ventilator). |
| Extubation |
The process of removing the ET tube. |
| Gavage feeding |
Feeding a baby through a gastric tube inserted into the
stomach. |
| (GERD) Gastroesophageal Reflux
Disease |
Babies' immature digestive systems are usually the cause, and
most infants stop having acid reflux by the time they reach their first
birthday. |
| Gestational age |
The length of time from conception to birth (how long the baby
stays in the womb). Full-term gestation is between 38 and 42 weeks. |
| Heel Prick Test |
A common procedure in which a small pinprick puncture is made
in a baby’s heel to obtain a blood sample. |
| (HFV) High frequency
ventilation |
A type of ventilator which gives very small breathes at a very
fast rate; the baby's chest will actually vibrate. HFV works differently from
“conventional” ventilation
to treat specific breathing or lung problems. |
| (HMD) Hyaline membrane
disease |
A breathing problem
that causes the tiny air sacs in the lungs to collapse. This is usually due
to lung immaturity and lack of a natural lung chemical (surfactant).
Also called respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). |
| Hydrocephalus |
Excess spinal fluid
causing enlargement of the ventricles in the brain. |
| Hypoxia |
A low level of oxygen in the body tissue. If very low, tissue
damage can occur. |
| Incubator / isolette /
humidicrib |
A small, heated bed
enclosed in clear plastic. Keeps the baby warm, while allowing caregivers see
the baby. |
| (IUGR) Intrauterine
Growth Retardation |
A condition in which the foetus is smaller than expected for
its gestational age due to inadequate growth.
An IUGR baby is one who’s
estimated weight is below the 10th percentile for its gestational age and
whose abdominal circumference is below the 2.5th percentile. |
| (IVH) Intraventricular
haemorrhage |
Bleeding within the brain's ventricles (spaces in the brain
which contain spinal fluid). Also called intracranial haemorrhage (bleeding
in or around the brain). |
| (IV) Intravenous line |
A hollow needle or plastic tube inserted into a vein; used to
give fluids, blood, and or medications. |
| Intubation |
Placing a tube through the nose or mouth into the trachea
(windpipe). |
| Jaundice |
The yellow discoloration of a baby's skin and eyes caused by
too much bilirubin in the blood. |
| Kangaroo Care |
Skin-to-skin contact where baby is positioned on mum or dad's
bare chest to promote bonding and healing.
Researchers have found that the
close physical contact with the parent can help to stabilize the preterm
infant's heartbeat, temperature, and breathing.
It is also found to increase
Milk Supply. |
| (LBW) Low Birth
Weight |
under 2500 gr (5lb 8 oz) at birth regardless of g.a. |
| Meconium |
The first bowel movement/stool passed by a newborn, usually
dark green and sticky. |
| Meconium aspiration syndrome |
A type of pneumonia
caused by stool being passed by the baby while still in the womb.
The stool
can be inhaled into the baby's lungs and can partially or completely block
the baby's air passage. This makes it difficult for the baby to breathe. |
| Nasal Canula |
A small plastic tube placed under the nose to provide oxygen. |
| (NEC) Necrotizing
Enterocolitis |
A bowel condition
caused by lack of blood supply. A section of the bowel may become severely
inflamed or infected.
A condition that occurs when a section of the intestine
is swollen or inflamed because the lining has been damaged, often as a result
of obstructed
blood or oxygen flow in the perinatal period. With the
introduction of feeding, bacteria then invade the bowel wall causing tissue
damage and, in some cases, perforation.
Signs that this may have occurred include
swelling of the abdomen and the presence of blood in the baby’s stools. |
| (NG) Nasal Gastric Tube |
a thin plastic tube that goes through the nose and down to the
stomach to feed a baby milk/nutrition. |
| NICU- (Neonatal Intensive Care
Unit ) |
A hospital unit that
specialises in the care of premature or ill newborn babies. There are three
levels of NICU’s. Level 1 is for routine newborn care,
Level 2 is for babies
that require monitoring after birth and Level 3 is for any infant that may
have severe or life-threatening conditions that require specialised care.
(See our directory pages for lists of hospitals and what level of care they
offer) |
| Neonate |
A newborn infant, less than 30 days old. |
| Neonatologist |
A physician who specializes in the care of critically ill
newborn infants. |
| Oral Aversion |
Reluctance or refusal to feed or eat. A familiar example of
oral aversion is a baby's refusal to breastfeed.
Prolonged intravenous or
nasogastric feeding may also contribute to the development of oral aversion |
| Oscillator |
A type of high frequency ventilator. |
| Oxygen saturation |
The level of oxygen in a baby's blood. Oxygen level is
measured by a small probe on the baby's hand or foot, also by blood samples.
This level tells at-a-glance how well oxygen is being carried through the
body. |
| (PDA) Patent Ductus Arteriosus |
A small vessel (ductus)
between the major arteries of the heart and the lungs. Before birth, this
vessel is open and allows blood to bypass the lungs (not yet in use).
When
this opening fails to close after birth, it can cause problems with oxygen
rich blood getting to the body. |
| (PDD) Pervasive
Developmental Disorder |
also called Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorder |
| (PICC) Peripherally Inserted
Central Catheter |
A flexible, thin IV tube put into a vein in the arm, foot, or
leg and then routed up into, or near, the heart. |
| (PPHN) Persistent
Pulmonary Hypertension of Newborns |
A serious condition that causes the baby to return to its
prebirth route of blood circulation.
The baby's blood is only partially
oxygenated through the lungs. This results in very low oxygen levels, plus a
higher blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs.
Treatment can include,
oxygen, ventilator therapy, medications and/or ECMO. Also called persistent
fetal circulation (PFC). |
| Phototherapy |
See bilirubin lights. |
| Pneumothorax (pneumo) |
Air escapes from the lung into the chest cavity, creating a
pocket of air in the wrong place. This pocket of air then presses on the
lungs or heart.
A chest tube or catheter can be inserted to remove the pocket
of air, which lets the lungs re-expand. |
| Pulse oximeter |
An electronic monitor that detects oxygen saturation in the
blood using a light sensor probe. |
| (PVL) Periventricular
leukomalacia |
a condition where areas of the brain are affected by
lack of oxygen and/or blood supply which causes damage to brain tissue |
| (RAD) Reactive Airway Disease |
Reactive airway disease has a large differential diagnosis and
must not be confused with asthma. |
| (RDS) Respiratory Distress
Syndrome |
Neonatal RDS occurs in infants whose lungs have not yet fully
developed. The disease is mainly caused by a lack of a slippery, protective
substance called surfactant,
which helps the lungs inflate with air and keeps
the air sacs from collapsing. This substance normally appears in mature
lungs. It can also be the result of genetic problems with
lung development.
The earlier a baby is born, the less developed the lungs are and the higher
the chance of neonatal RDS. Most cases are seen in babies born before 28
weeks.
It is very uncommon in infants born full-term (at 40 weeks). |
| (ROP) Retinopathy Of
Prematurity |
An eye disorder,
involving the retina that can occur in premature infants. |
| Room air |
The ordinary air we breathe which contains 21% oxygen. Oxygen
therapy can deliver from 22 - 100% oxygen. |
| SCN |
Special Care Nursery |
| (SID) Sensory Integration
Disorder |
is a neurological disorder causing difficulties with
processing information from the five classic senses (vision, auditory, touch,
olfaction, and taste),
the sense of movement (vestibular system), and/or the
positional sense. |
| Sepsis |
An infection caused by bacteria. |
| Spinal tap |
The removal of a small
amount of fluid from the spinal canal. The fluid is then analysed for
infection, bleeding, and other disorders. |
| Surfactant |
A substance in the
lungs that helps keep the tiny air sacs from collapsing and sticking
together. A lack of this substance contributes to Respiratory Distress
Syndrome (RDS). |
| Tachycardia |
Rapid beating of the heart, which in premature babies usually
means > 160 beats/minute. |
| (TTN) Transient Tachypnoea of
the Newborn |
A condition when a baby
breathes with quick, shallow breathes (usually over 80 breaths per minute).
It is often caused by fluid in the lungs and will improve as this fluid is
absorbed. Some babies need oxygen as this resolves.
TTN is often associated
with caesarean delivery. |
| (TTTS) Twin To Twin
Transfusion Syndrome |
is a condition in which
blood from one twin (the donor) is transfused into the other twin (the
recipient) via blood vessels in their common placenta.
It occurs in 15% of
identical twins that share a placenta (about two percent of all twin
pregnancies).
While uncommon, it has potentially serious and life threatening
effects upon both twins. |
| (UAC, UVC) Umbilical Catheter,
Arterial or Venous |
A tube inserted through
the belly button (umbilical cord) into the arterial or venous blood vessels.
Either tube is used to give the baby fluids and to draw blood samples. The
UAC is used to monitor the baby's blood pressure.
If the baby requires oxygen
therapy, the UAC will be used to draw blood gases and blood samples.
Sometimes referred to as an “umbi line” |
| Ventilator |
A machine which fills
the baby's lungs with air and helps the baby breathe. Also called a
respirator. |
| Ventricles of the brain |
Spaces in the brain that contain spinal fluid to bathe and
cushion the brain. |
| (VLBW) Very Low Birth Weight |
under 1500 gr |
| (VSD) Ventricular Septal
Defect |
Before a baby is born,
the right and left ventricles of its heart are not separate. As the fetus
grows, a wall forms to separate these two ventricles.
If the wall does not
completely form, a hole remains. This hole is known as a ventricular septal
defect, or a VSD.It is estimated that up to 1% of babies are born with this
condition.
The baby may have no symptoms, and the hole can eventually close
as the wall continues to grow after birth.
If the hole is large, then too
much blood will be pumped to the lungs, leading to congestive heart failure.
These babies are often have symptoms related to heart failure and may need
medicine to control the symptoms and surgery to close the hole. |