Definitions
Apnea- A stopping of breathing of forgetting to breath, usually temporary and of no harm as long as the baby is monitored.
Blood Culture - A blood test which screens for bacterial infections. It takes 24 to 72 hours for test results.
Blood Gases - Also refered to as artieal blood gases or capillary blood gases. A lab test for measuring the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acidity (ph) in the blood. This information helps treat infants with respitory distress.
Bradycardia or Brady - A slowing of the heart rate, usually temporary and of no harm.
Corrected age - The age of premature baby would have been if she had been born on her due date or at 40 weeks gestation.
Cyanosis - Bluish discolaration of the skin and lips due to poor circulation or low oxygen in the blood.
Gestational Age (see also corrected age) - term can be used interchangeably prior to 40 weeks gestation.
Heel Stick - The procedure of drawing blood from the baby's heel for testing.
Low birth weight - A birth weight of less then 2500 grams (about 5 pounds).
Neonate - A newborn baby.
Red Blood Cells - Cells in the blood that pick up oxygen from the lungs and carry it to all the tissues of the body.
Suction - Procedure to remove mucus and secreations from the nose, throat or endotracheal tube using a small plastic tube attached to a vacuum or a bulb syringe.
Tachypnea - Rapid breathing
Bagging - At times a baby will need to be taken away from her breathing support. During these times, a doctor or nurse can use a rubber bag to send oxygen-rich air into her lungs. The power is supplied by a person rather than a machine.
CPAP - Sometimes babies have a hard time keeping their lungs open. A continuous positive airway (CPAP) machine will help. It supplies pressure to keep the lungs open. Then the baby doesn't have to work so hard to breathe.
Oxyhood - When a baby's lungs get stronger she bay use an oxyhood. This is a clear box over her head or covering her body which supplies air with a little extra oxygen. No tubes go down the baby's throat.
IV Feedings - A very sick baby cannot suck, swallow or digest food well. She may get food (nutrition) through an intravenous line. This liquid diet of vitamins and minerals is called hyperalimentation, or "hal" for short. Fats may be supplied by way of intralipids which enter the bloodstream through a tube.
Tube Feeding - As a baby grows, he will receive food through a tube. The most common feeding tubes are an OG (oralgastric) or NG (nasal gastric) tube. These go from the baby's mouth (OG) or nose (NG) to the baby's stomach. Formula or breast milk is slowly pumped or dripped into the baby's body through the tube. As the baby learns to suck and swallow, she will use a bottle. If the mother wishes to breast feed, the baby can nurse at this time.
Pulse Oximeter (Pulse Ox) - Measures the blood oxygen with a light measure.
Complete Blood Count (CBC) - A CBC is done to determine the number and types of cells in the blood. A low red blood cell count or a low platelet count may be a sign of an infection. White blood cells, which fight infections are also counted. Both very high or low counts can mean infection. Too high means that the body is fighting the infection and too low means that the body is being overwhelmed by the infection.
Blood Culture - A blood test which screens for bacterial infections. It takes 24 to 72 hours for test results.
Blood Gases - Also refered to as artieal blood gases or capillary blood gases. A lab test for measuring the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acidity (ph) in the blood. This information helps treat infants with respitory distress.
Bradycardia or Brady - A slowing of the heart rate, usually temporary and of no harm.
Corrected age - The age of premature baby would have been if she had been born on her due date or at 40 weeks gestation.
Cyanosis - Bluish discolaration of the skin and lips due to poor circulation or low oxygen in the blood.
Gestational Age (see also corrected age) - term can be used interchangeably prior to 40 weeks gestation.
Heel Stick - The procedure of drawing blood from the baby's heel for testing.
Low birth weight - A birth weight of less then 2500 grams (about 5 pounds).
Neonate - A newborn baby.
Red Blood Cells - Cells in the blood that pick up oxygen from the lungs and carry it to all the tissues of the body.
Suction - Procedure to remove mucus and secreations from the nose, throat or endotracheal tube using a small plastic tube attached to a vacuum or a bulb syringe.
Tachypnea - Rapid breathing
Bagging - At times a baby will need to be taken away from her breathing support. During these times, a doctor or nurse can use a rubber bag to send oxygen-rich air into her lungs. The power is supplied by a person rather than a machine.
CPAP - Sometimes babies have a hard time keeping their lungs open. A continuous positive airway (CPAP) machine will help. It supplies pressure to keep the lungs open. Then the baby doesn't have to work so hard to breathe.
Oxyhood - When a baby's lungs get stronger she bay use an oxyhood. This is a clear box over her head or covering her body which supplies air with a little extra oxygen. No tubes go down the baby's throat.
IV Feedings - A very sick baby cannot suck, swallow or digest food well. She may get food (nutrition) through an intravenous line. This liquid diet of vitamins and minerals is called hyperalimentation, or "hal" for short. Fats may be supplied by way of intralipids which enter the bloodstream through a tube.
Tube Feeding - As a baby grows, he will receive food through a tube. The most common feeding tubes are an OG (oralgastric) or NG (nasal gastric) tube. These go from the baby's mouth (OG) or nose (NG) to the baby's stomach. Formula or breast milk is slowly pumped or dripped into the baby's body through the tube. As the baby learns to suck and swallow, she will use a bottle. If the mother wishes to breast feed, the baby can nurse at this time.
Pulse Oximeter (Pulse Ox) - Measures the blood oxygen with a light measure.
Complete Blood Count (CBC) - A CBC is done to determine the number and types of cells in the blood. A low red blood cell count or a low platelet count may be a sign of an infection. White blood cells, which fight infections are also counted. Both very high or low counts can mean infection. Too high means that the body is fighting the infection and too low means that the body is being overwhelmed by the infection.
posted by JenninNJ @ 6:04 AM
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