DICTIONARY

Definition A Ambu bag A piece of respiratory equipment used with a face mask and placed over the baby’s nose and mouth or attached to the ET or trach tube. It is squeezed to give the baby oxygen and inflate the lungs.

Anomaly Abnormality, Defect. Malformed body part.

Anoxia Lack of oxygen.

Antibiotics Medications (drugs) that fight germs, kill or interfere with the growth of bacteria, and help cure or prevent infections.

Apnea Stop breathing for more than 20 seconds.

Areola Dark area of the breast around the nipple.

Arterial Catheter A thin plastic tube placed in an artery used to give your baby nutrients, blood and medications. It is also used to draw blood for lab tests. Arterial catheters are most commonly placed in the baby’s umbilical artery and are called Umbilical Artery Catheters or UAC.

Asphyxia Lack of oxygen and blood flow to the body.

Aspiration Breathing fluid (formula, stomach contents, meconium) or objects into the lung.

B Bacteria Germs that make you sick. Treated with antibiotics.

“Bagging” Squeezing the ambu bag to give him oxygen and inflate his lungs.

Biliblanket A special lighted “blanket” placed under the baby to treat jaundice.

Bililight A special light placed above the baby’s bed that shines on the baby to treat jaundice

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Bilirubin Product of red blood cell breakdown; too much in the blood causes jaundice, a yellowish color of the skin.

Blood gas Blood test to determine how much oxygen and carbon dioxide is in the baby’s blood. The baby is “stuck” for the blood if he does not have a special IV, the UAC.

Blood Transfusion Giving blood from a donor to a baby. The donor’s blood is tested and blood types are matched between the baby and the donor before we give the blood to a baby.

BPD (Bronchopulmonary A lung condition caused by having immature lungs and being on Dysplasia) oxygen and the ventilator (breathing machine) for a long time. Some babies with BPD need oxygen after discharge from the hospital.

Bradycardia Slow heart rate. Usually less than 100 beats per minute in a newborn or premature baby.

Breech delivery Babies born bottom, feet, or arm first.

C

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Gas breathed out when the baby exhales.

Case Manager A Registered Nurse or Social Worker who will help you with the everyday events that goes with having a premature or critically ill baby and perhaps being a distance from your family and friends. They can help with things like: finding a place to stay, dealing with insurance or financial concerns, parking and/or meals. They provide spiritual and emotional support during this trying and tiring time.

CAT Scan or CT Scan Computerized axial tomography. Computerized x-ray that takes special pictures of the baby’s brain.

CBC Complete blood count. Blood test that looks at the types and number of cells in the blood. Used to see if the baby has anemia (low blood) or an infection.

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Chest PT Chest Physiotherapy. May also include Postural Drainage. Clapping on the baby’s chest with a hand or using a cup to loosen mucus in the lungs. Postural drainage is a method of positioning the baby to help mucus drain from the lungs.

Circumcision Removal of the foreskin from the penis.

Colostomy Surgical opening made in the large intestine that is connected to the outside of the belly to permit elimination of stool (BM).

Colostrum Thin yellow or clear breastmilk that is present before true breastmilk comes in.

Congenital abnormality A malformation or abnormality present at birth. A Birth defect.

Congestive Heart Failure CHF. Heart is not able to pump blood well to the body because of a malformed heart, an illness or an infection.

Corrected Age Length of a pregnancy (gestational age) plus the baby’s calendar age.

CPAP Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. Room air, and sometimes oxygen, given under pressure to a baby through small, soft prongs inserted in their nose. It helps to keep the baby’s lungs expanded (open) while they inhale & exhale (breathe).

CSF Cerebrospinal fluid. Fluid made and stored in the ventricles of the brain. Same as spinal fluid.

CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Method used to revive a person whose heartbeat and breathing have stopped.

Cyanosis Blue color of baby’s skin, fingernails or inside of mouth and tongue. Caused by a lack of oxygen.

D Diuretic Medicine (drug) used to get rid of extra water in the body.

Down Syndrome Chromosome abnormality (Trisomy 21) where the baby has a

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variety of physical problems and varying degrees of mental retardation.

Dyspnea Difficult breathing.

E Echocardiogram ECHO. An ultrasound of the heart that uses high-frequency sound waves instead of x-rays to produce a picture of the heart. It is safe and poses no risk to the baby. The ECHO can tell us about the movement of the valves and chambers of the heart, as well as blood flow within the heart

ECMO Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation. Process used to circulate a baby’s blood in a special machine outside the body while his lungs rest. It’s a type of heart pump like the one used on adults having heart surgery.

Edema Swelling or puffiness.

EEG Electroencephalogram. Tracing of the electrical impulses of the brain.

EKG or ECG Electrocardiogram. Tracing of the electrical impulses of the heart.

Electrodes Small adhesive pads placed on the baby’s body—chest, tummy, arms, or legs—that pick up and send the electrical impulses of the heart and movement of the chest with breathing to a monitor.

Electrolytes Chemicals in the body that make it function well. We draw some of the baby’s blood and send it to the lab to check them.

Endotracheal Tube ET Tube. Small plastic tube placed in the throat and connected to a ventilator or breathing machine. The tube is in the baby’s breath passage (trachea) and delivers oxygen and pressure to the lungs.

Exchange Transfusion Removing most of the baby’s blood in small amounts and replacing it with fresh blood in small amounts. Most often used for a very

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high bilirubin level.

Extubation Take out the endotracheal (ET) tube (breathing tube).

F Fontanel Soft spot on the top of the baby’ head. Another soft spot is toward the back of the baby’s head.

Fraternal Twins Twins formed from two fertilized eggs. They do not look alike. There can be a boy and a girl or two girls or two boys.

Full Term Baby born between the 37th and 41st week of pregnancy or gestation.

G Gastrostomy Surgical opening made on the tummy into the stomach. A tube is placed through the opening into the stomach to feed babies unable to eat by mouth.

Gavage Feeding Feeding by a tube placed through the baby’s nose or mouth into the stomach. It may be removed after each feeding or left in the stomach for longer periods of time.

Gestation Length of time from 1st day of mother’s last menstrual period to the time of birth. Full-term is 40 weeks’ gestation.

Gram (gm, G, GM) Unit of weight in the metric system. 1 ounce=28 grams.

H Heel Stick Method of pricking (sticking) the baby’s heel to get blood for lab tests.

Hematocrit Hct or “crit”. Percent of red blood cells in the blood. Your baby may receive a transfusion based on the hematocrit.

Hernia Inguinal hernia—lump under the skin in the groin or scrotum caused by the intestines pushing through a weak place in the belly wall. A common preemie problem. May be fixed by surgery before the baby leaves the hospital. May occur at home after

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discharge—notify the baby’s doctor. Umbilical hernia—a pushing out of the navel or belly button caused by the intestines pushing through a weak place in the belly wall. Usually goes away by the age of two. Fixed by surgery after 2-3 years of age if still there.

Hydrocephalus Extra spinal fluid in the spaces of the brain due to a blockage in circulation or absorption of spinal fluid. Baby’s head may become large.

Hyperbilirubinemia High bilirubin level (yellow jaundice). Happens commonly in newborns. Some babies are placed under a special light (bili light) to help the body break down the bilirubin. The baby gets rid of the bilirubin in his stools (bowel movements) or urine.

Hyperglycemia Elevated (high) levels of sugar in the blood.

Hypoglycemia Decreased (low) levels of sugar in the blood.

Hypoxia Lack of oxygen in the body tissues.

I Identical Twins Twins that occur from the division of a single fertilized egg. They are the same sex and look alike.

IDM Infant of a Diabetic mother.

Infusion Pump A machine that delivers (gives) IV fluids, blood, medication, and/or feedings in tiny, precise measured amounts through the baby’s IV line.

Ileostomy A surgical opening made in the belly and the small intestine is brought to the outside to allow elimination of stool (BM).

Immunization Medicine (drug) given to protect the child against harmful childhood diseases. Given by shot. For example DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus).

Intermediate Care Nursery A step-down nursery. The care is less intensive than the NICU

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(INT) but still more specialized than a standard or normal newborn nursery. Babies are moved to INT as they begin to grow and get bigger.

Intravenous IV. Tube or needle placed in the vein to give fluids, medications, or blood.

Intraventricular IVH. Bleeding into the ventricles in the brain. Hemorrhage

Intubation Placing a small tube in the baby’s windpipe (trachea) to give oxygen and pressure by an ambu bag or breathing machine.

“In Utero” Inside the womb or uterus.

Isolette An incubator (plastic box) the baby is placed in to keep him warm while he grows and gets well.

J Jaundice Skin and whites of the eyes become yellow. Caused by a high bilirubin.

K Kilogram, “kilo” Kg, KG, kg. Unit of weight in the metric system. 1 kg=2.2 pounds. 1 kg=1000 grams.

L Lactation Making milk in the breast.

Late Preterm Infant AKA: Near Term Infant. These are babies born between 34 & 0/7th weeks and 36 & 6/7th weeks’ gestation—or—having a birthweight between 2.0—2.5 kilograms.

Let-down Reflex Flow of milk from the breasts into the nipples.

Low Birthweight Infant LBW infant. A baby who weighs less than 5 ½ pounds at birth. The baby can be premature or full-term.

LP Lumbar puncture. Spinal tap. Procedure where a hollow needle is

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inserted between the bones in the back (spine) to withdraw spinal fluid.

M Meconium Baby’s 1st bowel movement (stool). Green-black in color and sticky.

Meconium Aspiration Breathing meconium and amniotic fluid into the lungs. Sometimes babies have this stool while in the uterus before birth. Meningitis Infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.

Meningocele Birth defect where the tissue lining the brain and spinal cord comes out through an opening in the skull or spinal column.

Milliliter Ml, ml. Unit of volume in the metric system. The same as a cc. 5 ml=1 teaspoon. 30 ml=1 ounce

Monitor A machine that records the baby’s heart rate, breathing, blood pressure and other information

Mucus Sticky material made in the nose and throat.

Murmur Sound made by blood flowing through the heart.

N Navel Belly button, umbilicus.

NEC Necrotizing Enterocolitis. An infection of the intestines that sometimes results in part of the intestines dying. The dying part is removed by surgery.

Neonatal Nurse A Registered Nurse with specialized training to provide nursing care to critically ill babies.

Neonatal Nurse NNP. A Registered Nurse with advanced or specialized education Practitioner in the care of critically ill babies and their families. The NNP may give medical care, perform special procedures and/or other types of care under the supervision of the neonatologist (doctor). The NNPs make up the Neonatal Advance Practice Service or NAPS

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Neonate Baby during the 1st month of life.

Neonatologist Baby doctor (pediatrician) with specialized training in the care of premature or critically ill newborns. Your baby will be cared for by our Neonatologists while in the NICU.

NG/OG Tube Nasogastric/orogastric tube. Small plastic tube placed in the baby’s nose (naso) or mouth (oro) into his stomach used for feeding. Sometimes the tube is placed in the stomach to keep it empty when the baby is sick and not feeding.

NICU Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

NICU Nurse Manager A Registered Nurse with administrative and clinical skills, the Nurse Manager is responsible for the overall functioning of the NICU. The Nurse Manager is available to discuss any questions or concerns you have regarding the care of your baby while in the NICU.

Nippling Sucking on a bottle filled with formula or breastmilk.

O Occupational Therapist OT. A person who treats problems involving the use of muscles. They may also work with babies who have trouble eating.

P PDA Patent Ductus Arteriosus. Small vessel outside of the heart that sometimes fails to close after birth and causes the baby to have breathing and heart problems. Sometimes it is closed with medicine or by surgery.

Periodic Breathing A type of breathing pattern. The baby will stop breathing for a few seconds then quickly begin breathing again.

Persistent Fetal Circulation PFC, PPHN. At birth, blood flow (circulation) and breathing -or- change. In PPHN (PFC) the baby’s blood flow does not change and Persistent Pulmonary continues to bypass the lungs. When this happens, the body and Hypertension brain do not get enough oxygen.

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Phototherapy Treatment of jaundice or high bilirubin by placing the baby under a special bright light called “bili lights.”

Physical Therapist PT. A person who treats feeding problems and problems of the muscles.

Pneumonia An infection of the lungs that causes fluid to collect and makes it harder for the baby to breathe. An antibiotic is given to treat the infection; we may also give the baby oxygen or put them on a ventilator (breathing machine).

Postpartum The 6 weeks after mom delivers a baby.

Premature baby A baby born before the end of the 36th week of pregnancy. -or- Preterm baby

Premature Formula Special formulas used to meet the nutritional needs of premature babies.

Premature Rupture of the PROM. The body of water (amniotic fluid) the baby floats in Membranes while in the uterus (womb) leaks or breaks before labor.

Prenatal Before birth.

Pulse Oximeter A machine that reads the oxygen saturation (level) of blood. The pulse oximeter is taped to baby’s hand, foot, finger, or toe.

R Radiant Warmer An open, heated table or bed that helps keep your baby’s temperature in normal range.

RDS Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Also called Hyaline Membrane Disease. A breathing problem of premature babies caused by a lack of a fluid called surfactant that keeps small air sacs in the lungs open.

Referral Physicians Doctors or “specialists” we ask to come and see your baby to evaluate a special concern or problem. Some on these “specialists”

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may include a: a. Pediatric Cardiologist: a doctor specializing in problems of the heart and circulation of blood b. Pediatric Neurologist: a doctor specializing in problems of the brain and nerves c. Ophthalmologist: a doctor specializing in problems of the eyes d. Orthopedist: a doctor specializing in problems with the bones

Sometimes babies need to see a “specialist” that is not available at CFVMC. If so, we will make arrangements to transfer your baby to the hospital where the “specialist” is available to see your baby. Some on these “specialists” may include a: a. Hematologist b. Pulmonologist

Resident A doctor who is finishing his training after medical school. He/she may spend some clinical time (rotation) in the NICU under the supervision of the Neonatologist and NNP.

Residual Feeding (formula or breastmilk) still in the stomach before the next feeding.

Respiratory Therapist A health-care professional who is trained to care for babies with respiratory (breathing) difficulties and needs. The Respiratory Therapist also attends deliveries of high-risk babies.

Retina The back of the eye.

ROP Retinopathy of Prematurity. An eye disease in babies. Many things including oxygen, ventilators, or prematurity may cause it. The mild form of the disease may heal on its own, but severe ROP may lead to the retina becoming detached (loose) and/or blindness.

S Seizure An abnormal electrical activity in the brain that causes unusual muscle twitches.

Sepsis An infection in the blood that may affect the baby’s whole body.

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It is usually treated with antibiotics. If the sepsis is severe (very bad), the baby may need a blood transfusion.

Shunt (VP) A tube that drains spinal fluid from a ventricle in the brain to the belly.

Surfactant A substance produced by the lungs that helps keep the small air sacs or alveoli from collapsing and sticking together and causing breathing problems for the baby. Many premature babies are given surfactant at birth to prevent or minimize breathing problems.

Surgeon A doctor who specializes in surgery. Surgeons specialize in surgery of different areas (parts) of the body. Some surgeons your baby may see are: a. Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon: a surgeon specializing in surgery of the heart and blood vessels. b. General Surgeon: a surgeon specializing in surgery of abdomen (belly). c. Pediatric Neurosurgeon: a surgeon specializing in surgery of the brain and nerves. d. Plastic Surgeon: a surgeon specializing in repair and reconstruction surgery.

T Tachycardia A rapid heart rate (above 160 beats per minute) in a newborn or premature.

Tachypnea Rapid breathing (above 60 breaths per minute) in a newborn or premature baby.

Term Baby A baby born between the 37th and 41st week of pregnancy or gestation.

TORCH Titer A group of infections a baby may acquire (get) while in the uterus and that may cause the baby health problems after birth. We identify these infections with a lab test. The infections include: a. Toxoplasmosis: a protozoa that may cause birth defects, visual problems and/or mental retardation

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b. Other: syphilis, HIV/AIDS, Chlamydia, gonorrhea c. Rubella (German Measles): a virus that may cause congenital heart defects, cataracts, and/or mental retardation d. Cytomegalovirus (CMV): a virus that may cause birth defects, hearing problems and/or mental retardation e. Herpes: also a virus that may cause low birthweight, irritability and/or brain damage.

Trachea Windpipe or breathing tube.

Tracheostomy A surgical opening made through the skin and into the trachea (breathing tube) so air can get to the lungs when there is a blockage. Also done for babies who require long-term ventilation management.

U Ultrasound A method of taking pictures inside the body using sound waves.

Umbilicus Belly button, navel.

UTI Urinary Tract Infection. Infection of the bladder.

V Ventilator A machine used to breathe for the baby. Also called a respirator.

Ventricle Chamber in the heart. Also the name of a sack in the brain where spinal fluid is made and stored.

Vital signs The baby’s Temperature, Pulse (heart) Rate, Rate of Respirations (breathing) and Blood Pressure.

W Wheeze Whistling, humming, raspy sound made during breathing.

Y Yeast infection An infection caused by a fungus, Candida Albicans. Common after antibiotic therapy. Also called Thrush or Monilia. Seen most often in the baby’s mouth and diaper area.

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Thrush: when the infection is in the mouth. Baby has white patches on the tongue and the insides of the mouth. Usually treated with Mycostatin oral suspension. Monilia: when the infection is in the diaper area. Usually treated with Mycostatin cream.

It takes many people to care for a critically ill baby. Each team member is needed to provide total care, 24 hours a day. Additional team member you may see participating in the care of your baby are: Pharmacist X-ray Technician Speech Therapist EEG Technician Audiologist EKG Technician Unit Secretary ECHO Technician

Reviewed/Revised: 07/01…..06/13

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