TAB 5:
Helpful Information
Helpful
Information
Baby
photo
here
Baby
photo
here
We inserted a map of our health center/program location here.
An easy way to obtain this is to go to your program’s website, right-click on the map and/or
directions, and copy and paste them directly into the document.
UUUniversity Health Center Campus
1 SSouth Prospect Street
BuBurlington, VT 05401
(80(802) 847-0000
Glossary
Adjusted Age – your baby’s age when you start counting from your due date,
instead of their birthday.
Aminophylline – a medication used to treat “apnea of prematurity.” It
helps the baby breathe more regularly (also called theophylline). A side effect
of aminophylline is a fast hear rate. This is monitored and the medication is
adjusted as needed.
Anemia – low number of red blood cells in the blood. Premature and sick
babies are not always able to make enough red blood cells to replace the ones
lost when blood samples are sent to the lab.
Antibiotics – medications used to treat bacterial infection or used when one
is strongly suspected.
Apgar score – a score taken at birth to measure the condition of your baby
including heat rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflexes, and color.
Apnea – not taking a breath for longer than 20 seconds.
Arteries – blood vessels that carry oxygen-containing blood.
Aspirate – any milk or formula that is left in the baby’s stomach, from the
previous feeding. This can be checked when the baby is being tube fed.
Aspiration – breathing in a foreign substance such as mucus, milk, or
meconium into the lungs.
Bagging – the process of giving the baby more oxygen and extra breaths
through the use of an air/oxygen filled bag.
Bilirubin – a product of the breakdown of red blood cells. It is filtered out of
the blood by the liver. In preemies the liver is more immature than in full
term infants so it doesn’t filter as well as it should. (See jaundice and bili
lights.)
Blood gases (gases) – a sample of blood that measures the level of oxygen,
carbon dioxide and acid (pH) in the blood. It is a lab value that reflects
different aspects of your baby’s health such as, breathing and dehydration.
Blood Pressure (BP) – a measure of the force of blood moving through blood
vessels. BP is a vital sign that lets us know many things such as, the need
for more fluid or less and it the baby is in pain. It also lets us know how well
the heart is pumping.
BPD (bronchopulmonary dysplasia) – chronic lung disease most
commonly seen in premature babies who had breathing problems in the first
few days after birth. This condition may be seen in babies who have been on
a ventilator for a long time.
Bradycardia (brady) – a decrease in the regular heart rate. It’s frequently
seen with apnea (see apnea). We refer to this combination as A’s and B’s or
apnea/bradys. Som situations that cause bradycardia are aspiration, low
temperature, stress to the baby, over stimulation and infection. Sometimes
aminophylline is given for this condition.
Carbon dioxide – the gas we breathe out as a waste product.
Cardio-respiratory monitor – this monitor gives us waveforms and
numerical
readings of the baby’s heart rate and respirations. Three adhesive electrodes
(leads) stick to the baby’s skin. An alarm rings if the readings are not within
normal limits. False alarms are common and usually happen when a baby
wiggles or a lead becomes loose.
CBC (complete blood count) – a blood test to determine if an infection is
present and/or if the baby is anemic (see anemia).
CC’s – metric measure of liquids (30cc = 1 ounce and 5cc= 1 teaspoon)
Central Lines – a special Intravenous line that may be used to give fluid or
draw blood. This type of line is placed closer to the heart.
Chest PT (chest physiotherapy) – vibrating and/or tapping the baby’s
chest to help loosen any mucus in the lungs.
Chest Tube – a tube surgically inserted into the chest to reopen a partially
or totally collapsed lung (see pneumothorax).
Chronic Lung Disease – changes in the lungs most commonly seen in
premature babies (see BPD).
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) – a continuous flow of
air/oxygen into the lungs through little prongs in the baby’s nose to help keep
the smaller airways, distant airways open. In premature babies these
airways can collapse easily.
Cyanosis – dusky, bluish color of the skin, lips, and/or nailbeds as a result of
not having enough oxygen in the blood.
Desats (desaturation) – when the oxygen saturation level goes below 85 on
the SAT monitor (see Sat monitor).
Directed donor blood – blood that is donated by a family member or friend
for transfusing a specific baby (see Transfusion). Also see page of this booklet
for more about the directed donor process for families.
Diuretic – medications used to increase the amount of urine output and
decrease the amount of extra fluid in the body.
“Do up” – refers to the time when your baby’s nurse has scheduled care to
include vital signs, diaper change, and feeding, etc. In the NICU it is
important to cluster nursing care/procedures to allow the baby to have
uninterrupted periods of rest.
Dubowitz score – a physical exam done soon after birth to determine the
gestational age (length of time spent in the womb).
Edema (puffiness) – tissue swelling due to extra fluid under the skin.
EKG (or ECG, electrocardiogram) – machine used to make a tracing of
the heartbeat on paper.
ET tube (endotracheal tube) – a soft plastic tube placed into the baby’s
mouth (or sometimes nose) and down the windpipe (trachea) to give oxygen
and to help the baby breathe. Placing the tube is called intubation and
removing it is called extubation. The ET tube is connected to the ventilator.
Gases – (see Blood gases)
Gavage feeding – when babies aren’t able to nipple or breast feed yet. A
soft plastic tube can be placed down the baby’s nose or mouth and down to
the stomach. Formula or breast milk can be slowly dripped through the tube.
Gestational age – the number of weeks you were pregnant with your baby.
Glucose – a type of sugar in the blood. Also called dextrose.
Headbox (oxyhood) – a clear plastic box placed around the baby’s head that
keeps the oxygen concentrated.
Heelstick – the baby’s foot is warmed then the baby’s heel (or toe) is pricked
to draw blood work.
Hematocrit (crit) – the percentage of red cells in the blood (see Anemia).
Hypoglycemia – low blood sugar (see Glucose).
Hypoxia – a decreased oxygen level in blood.
IMVs (intermittent mandatory ventilation) – the breaths that are given
by the respirator.
Indocin – medication usually given to help close a ductus (see PDA).
Infiltrate – when an IV partially slips out of the vein.
Intubation – (see ET tube).
Isolette (Incubator) – a bed with a heater and a plastic cover to see the
baby through.
IV (intravenous) – a small catheter placed a short distance into the baby’s
vein to provide fluids and medications. An IV may be placed in a baby’s
hand, foot or scalp vein.
IVH (intraventricular hemorrhage) – when there is bleeding into the
ventricles of the brain (see ventricles).
Jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia) – the yellow color seen in the skin due to
the build up of bilirubin (a breakdown product of red blood cells) (see
bilirubin & photo theraphy).
LGA (large for gestational age) – babies who are larger than usual for the
amount of time the baby has been in the womb.
Lipids (intralipids) – a white, high calorie fat solution given by IV.
Meconium – the first, thick black stools passed by the baby.
Milia – a normal condition in which the glands on the baby’s nose and face
show up as small white dots (in babies who are close to term). It goes away
on its own.
Murmur – a sound of blood going through the heart a different way than
usual. Murmurs are common in infants and children.
Nasal cannula (NC) – short plastic prongs placed in the nose to deliver a
small amount of oxygen to the baby.
NEC (necrotizing enterociolitis) – a bowel infection which may cause the
bowel to stop working. The baby may have to stop eating when this happens.
Nutrition is then given through the IV.
Neonatal – the period of time from birth to 28 days.
Newborn screen – a routine blood test done on all babies. This test checks
for rare but serious disorders. The results are sent to your baby’s primary
care provider.
NICU – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
NPO – Nothing by mouth (no oral feedings).
Open bed – a bed with a heater over the top to keep the baby warm without
clothes or covers. This bed makes it easier to observe the baby and do
procedures.
Overbed warmer – a large warmer that can be rolled over a baby’s isolette
when they need to come out for a procedure.
Oxygen (02) – an odorless, colorless gas needed by body cells. Up to 100%
oxygen can be given. Room air is 21% oxygen.
PDA (patent ductus arteriosis) – the ductus is a blood vessel that keeps
the blood away from the lungs before the baby is born. Usually the ductus
closes shortly after birth. If this vessel stays open (or patent) it will interfere
with normal blood flow, causing stress to the heart and lungs (see Indocin).
Pectus – the indentation of the sternum. (The sternum is softer in a
premature infant, like cartilage, and as the infant takes a breath the sternum
indents).
Phototherapy (bili lights) – a special ultraviolet light used in the
treatment of some types of jaundice. Blinders are placed on the baby to
protect the eyes.
Pneumonia – inflammation or infection of the lungs.
Pneumothorax – a collection of air in the chest but outside the lung (see
chest tube).
Postmature – a baby born after the due date.
Pram – the way we gradually decrease the isolette temperature and increase
the clothes and blankets on a baby. If the baby’s temperature remains stable
then he is moved into a little open crib (also referred to as a pram).
Premature – a baby born before 37 weeks gestation.
Prongs (nasal prongs) – small soft tubing placed in the nose and connected
to the CPAP system.
Pulse oximeter – (see SAT monitor).
Respirator – (see ventilator).
Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) – the most common serious
problem of premature babies. The air sacs in the lungs collapse (instead of
opening up and stretching like little balloons), making it difficult to get
enough air into the lungs.
Room air – the air we all breathe normally (21% oxygen).
ROP (Retinopathy of prematurity) – Abnormal growth of blood vessels in
the eye that is most common in babies who were born very premature.
Sat Monitor – a bedside monitor that shows the amount of oxygen in the
blood. The lead (which looks like a Bandaid) is attached to the baby’s foot or
arm. This monitor may alarm if the baby moves or wiggles.
Sepsis – an infection that occurs in the blood. If there is any question of an
infection, tests are done and the baby is put on antibiotics until the test
results come back.
Sepsis workup – a series of lab tests required to rule out an infection (see
sepsis)
SGA (small for gestational age) – a baby smaller than the usual size for
the amount of time spent in the womb.
Spinal tap (LP or lumbar puncture) – placing a small needle into the
lower part of the back to withdraw spinal fluid for testing.
Surfactant – a substance that is put down the ET tube within the first few
hours after a premature infant is born. It helps keep the small air sacs in the
lungs open.
The doctors will discuss with you whether or not your baby is a candidate for
this treatment.
Tachycardia – a heart rate that is faster than the average range.
Tachypnea – a breathing rate that is faster than the average range.
TPN (total parenteral nutrition) – a yellow IV solution that contains
nutrients to help a baby grow. TPN is used while a baby is unable to take all
his food by mouth.
Trachea – the section of the airway just before branching to each lung.
Transfusion – giving blood or blood products through an IV (see Directed
donor blood).
UAC or UAL (umbilical artery catheter or line) or
UVC or UVL (umbilical venous catheter or line) – a clear, soft catheter
placed into one of the vessels in the umbilical cord and used to give fluids or
draw out blood for tests, and to monitor blood pressure.
Ultra sound – a procedure that uses sound waves (from a machine) to
produce a picture of an internal organ (brain, heart, kidney, etc.).
Umbilicus – belly button.
Veins – blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart.
Ventilator (or respirator) – a machine used to help a baby breathe. The
machine is connected to the baby by an ET tube (see ET tube).
Ventricles (of the brain) – spaces in the brain where spinal fluid circulates.
Vernix – the thick white substance that protects the baby’s skin in the
womb, and can be seen especially in creases after the baby is born.
Vital sign – the combination of temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and
breathing rate recorded on a baby’s bedside chart.
Vitamin K – a vitamin shot given once, shortly after birth, to help the blood
to clot normally.
X-rays – a picture taken at the bedside necessary to check ET tube and IV
line placement as well as lung, heart and intestinal changes.