MyChartGlossary - High-Risk Newborn
| A || B || C || D || E || F || G || H || I || J || K || L || M || N || O || P || Q || R || S || T || U || V || W || X || Y || Z |
A
Air leak - when air leaks through holes in the lung tissue into the spaces outside the lung airways.
Alveoli - tiny sacs that are the smallest airways of the lungs.
Apnea - to stop breathing.
Asphyxia - a general term used to describe inadequate intake of oxygen by the baby.
B
Bilirubin - substance formed when red blood cells break down and are excreted by the liver. Too much bilirubin in the blood causes jaundice.
Bradycardia - slowing of the heart rate.
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) - see chronic lung disease.
C
Chronic lung disease (also called CLD or bronchopulmonary dysplasia) - a term for long-term respiratory problems in premature babies that results from lung injury from treatments with mechanical ventilators and oxygen.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) - air or oxygen delivered to the lungs under a small amount of pressure through an endotracheal tube or nasal prongs.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) - a virus related to the herpes virus group of infections.
D
Dubowitz/Ballard exam - An examination used to estimate a newborn's gestational age from the baby's appearance, skin texture, motor function, and reflexes.
E
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) - a test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and detects heart muscle damage.
Endotracheal tube (ET) - a tube placed through the mouth or nose into the trachea (windpipe).
F
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) - one of the fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), a group of abnormalities in babies born to mothers who consume alcohol during pregnancy.
G
Gavage feedings - feedings given through a tube inserted in the baby's mouth or nose into the stomach.
H
Hemolytic disease of the newborn - a condition that occurs when there is an incompatibility between the blood types of the mother and baby, causing breaking down of red blood cells.
Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn - Vitamin K deficiency disorder, a bleeding problem that occurs in a newborn during the first few days of life caused by a deficiency in vitamin K.
Hyaline membrane disease (HMD) - see respiratory distress syndrome.
Hyperglycemia - high amounts of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
Hyperkalemia - high amounts of potassium in the blood.
Hypernatremia - high amounts of sodium (salt) in the blood.
Hypocalcemia - low calcium levels in the blood.
Hypoglycemia - low amounts of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
I
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) - a term for inadequate fetal growth during pregnancy.
Intravenous (IV) - a method of giving medication or fluids directly into the vein.
Intraventricular hemorrhage - bleeding inside the ventricles (hollow chambers) in the brain.
J
Jaundice - a yellow coloring of the skin and/or eyes that is caused by too much bilirubin in the blood.
K
Kernicterus - build up of bilirubin in the tissues of the brain.
L
Lactation consultant (IBCLC - International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) - a nurse or other healthcare provider specially trained to help women with breastfeeding.
Large for gestational age (LGA) - a term used to describe babies who are born weighing more than the usual amount for the number of weeks of pregnancy.
low birthweight - refers to a baby weighing less than 2,500 grams (5.5 pounds) at birth.
M
Meconium aspiration - when a baby breathes in amniotic fluid containing meconium (the first bowel movement). This can occur prior to or during birth.
N
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) - a serious intestinal illness in babies that can cause tissue damage to the intestines.
Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) - a term for a group of problems a baby experiences when withdrawing from drug use by the mother during pregnancy.
Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) - a special care nursery that uses advanced technology and trained health professionals to care for sick and premature newborns.
O
P
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) - a condition in which the connecting blood vessel between the pulmonary artery and the aorta in fetal circulation stays open in a newborn baby.
Periventricular leukomalacia - softening of the white matter of the brain near the ventricles due to damage and death of brain tissue.
Pneumomediastinum - air leaks into the mediastinum (the space in the thoracic cavity behind the sternum and between the two pleural sacs containing the lungs).
Pneumopericardium - air leaks into the sac surrounding the heart.
Pneumothorax - air leaks into the space between the chest wall and the outer tissues of the lungs.
Polycythemia - a condition in which there are too many red blood cells in the blood circulation.
Premature baby - a baby born at or before the 37th week of pregnancy.
Pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) - air leaks and is trapped between the alveoli, the tiny air sacs.
Q
R
Respiratory distress syndrome (also called RDS, hyaline membrane disease, or HMD) - a condition of premature infant lungs due to insufficient surfactant, a substance in the lungs that helps the air sacs stay open.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) - an infection that causes inflammation of the lower airways and pneumonia.
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) - a disorder of the blood vessels of the retina (the light sensitive part of the eye) that is common in premature babies.
S
Small for gestational age (SGA) - a term used to describe a newborn who is smaller than normal for the number of weeks of pregnancy.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) - the sudden and unexplained death of an infant under 1 year of age.
T
Thrombocytopenia - a condition in which there are too few platelets (cells produced in the bone marrow that are needed for clotting).
Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) - a mild respiratory problem of babies, characterized by rapid breathing, that begins after birth and lasts about three days.
U
Umbilical artery catheter - a tube that is placed into an umbilical artery of a sick newborn to allow fluids and medications to be given, and for blood to be drawn.
V
Very low birthweight - refers to a baby who is born weighing less than 1,500 grams (3 pounds, 4 ounces).
W
X
X-ray - a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
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