Here's a handy glossary with definitions for some of the more frequently used medical terms, conditions and procedures you may hear during the treatment of  your  premature or seriously ill newborn in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Bryn Mawr Hospital:

ACIDOSIS: An excess of acid in the blood and body tissues.

AGA (Appropriate for Gestational Age): A baby whose birth weight falls within the normal range for his gestational age.

ANOMALY: A malformation of part of the body.

ANOXIA (also HYPOXIA): A lack of sufficient oxygen.

APNEA: Cessation of breathing for longer than 15 or 20 seconds.

APGAR SCORE: A score ranging from zero to ten indicating a baby’s physical condition immediately following birth.

ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS: A sampling of blood from an artery for determination of oxygen, carbon dioxide and acid content.

ASPHYXIA: A lack of adequate oxygen supply to the tissues.

ASPIRATION: Withdrawal of material from the body by suctioning, often to prevent pneumonia caused by the baby’s inspiration of a foreign substance, such as formula or stomach contents, into the lungs.

ATELECTASIS: A collapse of air sacs in a part of the lungs.

BAGGING: Pumping air and/or oxygen into the baby’s lungs by compressing a bag attached to a breathing tube or a mask that covers the baby’s nose and mouth.

BILIRUBIN: A yellowish substance produced when red blood cells break down; may cause jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes; in large amounts, may cause kernicterus, a form of brain damage.

BLADDER TAP: A needle inserted through the abdominal wall directly into the bladder to withdraw urine.

BRADYCARDIA: A slower then normal heartbeat rate; in infants, below 80-100 beats per minute.

BPD (Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia): Chronic lung disease related to prematurity, respiratory distress and the respirator therapy necessary to treat respiratory distress.

BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen): Blood test for kidney function.

CALCIUM: A chemical necessary for the normal functioning of the nerves, heart and other muscles and for the growth of bones and teeth.

CAT SCANNER or CT SCANNER: A computerized x-ray machine that can take pictures of cross sections of body tissues; sometimes used to diagnose brain disorders.

CBC (Complete Blood Count): Tests to determine the number and types of cells in the blood, part of a group of tests to check for anemia or infections.

CENTRAL LINE: An intravenous line, threaded through a vein to a position as close as possible to the heart.

CSF (Cerebrospinal Fluid): Fluid produced in the ventricles of the brain that circulates around the brain and spinal column.

CHEST TUBE: A tube surgically inserted between a collapsed lung and the chest wall to suction away air and allow the lung to re-expand.

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure): Pressurized air, sometimes with additional oxygen, delivered to the baby’s lungs to keep them expanded as the baby inhales and exhales.

CREATININE: Blood test for kidney function.

CULTURES AND SENSITIVITIES: Tests performed as part of an evaluation for infection in which samples of fluid and other materials from the body are placed in cultures that encourage growth of infectious organisms present; these growths are then tested for sensitivity to various antibiotics.

CYANOSIS: A blue or "dusky" color of the skin caused by a lack of oxygen.

DEXTROSTIX: A chemically treated plastic strip used in a simple blood test to assess sugar levels.

DOPPLER: A monitoring device attached to a special blood pressure cuff to give intermittent blood pressure measurements.

DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS: A blood channel that links the aorta to the pulmonary artery during fetal life.

DYSMATURE: Refers to a baby whose weight gain stops in the weeks before birth as a result of poor placental function.

DYSPNEA: Difficulty in breathing.

ECHO (Echocardiogram): A picture of the heart produced by the echo of ultrasound waves directed through the chest.

EDEMA: Fluid retention in the body tissues, producing puffiness or swelling.

EEG (Electroencephalogram): A tracing of the electrical impulses of the brain.

EKG (Electrocardiogram): A tracing of the heart’s electrical activity.

ELECTROLYTES: Certain chemicals in the blood, including sodium, potassium, and chloride which must be present in normal concentrations for optimal function of all body cells.

ET (Endotracheal Tube): Small tube, placed in the windpipe, to deliver air and oxygen directly to the lungs with a ventilator.

EXCHANGE TRANSFUSION: Replacement of from 70 to 80 percent of circulating blood with fresh blood from the Blood Bank.

EXOSURF: A brand name of surfactant (see surfactant).

EXTUBATION: Removal of the endotracheal tube from the baby’s windpipe.

FETAL CIRCULATION: The pattern of blood flow in an unborn baby in which the blood flows to and from the placenta to exchange oxygen, nutrients and waste products.

FULL-TERM: Infant born between the thirty-eighth and forty-second weeks after the first day of the last menstrual period.

GAVAGE FEEDING: Feedings given through a tube passed into the nose or mouth and into the stomach.

GESTATION: The period of development from the time of fertilization of the ovum (egg) until birth.

GLUCOSE: The type of sugar that circulates in the blood and is used by the body for energy.

GM, gm, G (Gram): The basic unit of weight in the metric system (28 grams = one ounce).

HEEL STICK: The procedure of pricking the baby’s heel to obtain small amounts of blood for testing.

HCT, "CRIT" (Hematocrit): The percentage of red blood cells in the blood.

HGB (Hemoglobin): A substance in red blood cells containing iron and carrying oxygen.

HIGH FREQUENCY JET VENTILATOR: A special ventilator capable of breathing for a baby at rates exceeding those of a normal ventilator (i.e., 420 BPM).

HIGH FREQUENCY OSCILLATORY VENTILATOR: A special ventilator capable of breathing for a baby at rates exceeding those of a normal ventilator (for example, 120 to 1320 BPM).

HMD or RDS (Hyaline Membrane Disease, Respiratory Distress Syndrome): Affecting premature babies; caused by a lack of surfactant, the substance that keeps the air sacs in the lungs from collapsing.

HYDROCEPHALUS: An abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain.

HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA: Excess bilirubin in the blood, a common condition in the newborn.

HYPERCALCEMIA: An excessive amount of calcium in the blood.

HYPERGLYCEMIA: Abnormally high sugar levels in the blood.

HYPERKALEMIA: An excessive amount of potassium in the blood.

HYPERNATREMIA: An excessive amount of sodium in the blood.

HYPERTENSION: High blood pressure.

HYPOGLYCEMIA: Abnormally low sugar levels in the blood.

HYPOVOLEMIA: An abnormally low volume of blood in the body.

I & O (Input and Output): Refers to the amount of fluids given by oral feedings and/or by IV and the amount of fluid excreted in the urine or stools.

IMV (Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation): The ventilator mode where the baby’s spontaneous (regular) breathing is combined with mandatory breaths from the ventilator.

INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE: Bleeding in or around the brain.

IM (Intramuscular Injection): An injection into the muscle, in a premature baby, usually in the thigh muscle.

IV (Intravenous): A tube or a needle placed into a vein to allow infusion of fluids into the bloodstream.

IVH (Intraventricular Hemorrhage): Bleeding within the ventricles of the brain.

INTUBATION: Insertion of a tube into the trachea (windpipe) to allow air and oxygen to reach the lungs.

LARYNGOSCOPE: A lighted instrument with a handle used in intubation to see the vocal cords in order to guide the endotracheal tube between them and into the trachea.

LBW (Low Birth Weight Infant): Baby who weighs less than five and one-half pounds at birth; can be premature or full-term.

LGA (Large for Gestational Age): A baby whose birth weight exceeds the normal range for the gestational age.

LIQUID VENTILATION: An experimental respiratory treatment where perfluorocarbon, which has the capability of carrying oxygen, is instilled into the lungs to make the infant’s work at breathing easier.

LP (Lumbar Puncture or Spinal Tap): Insertion of a hollow needle in between the vertebrae of the lower back to withdraw spinal fluid.

MECONIUM: A greenish-black material present in the fetal intestinal tract before birth, usually excreted during the first days after birth.

MECONIUM ASPIRATION: Sometimes meconium is excreted in utero, staining the amniotic fluid resulting in inhalation of the material by the fetus; neonatologists often are called upon in the delivery rooms to aspirate newborns with this problem to prevent serious respiratory distress.

MONITOR: A machine that records signs such as heartbeat, blood pressure and respiration.

NASAL CPAP: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure administered through small plastic tubing inserted in the baby’s nostrils.

NEONATAL PERIOD: The first 28 days of life.

NG TUBE: A small, flexible tube inserted through the nose, down the esophagus (food pipe) and into the stomach; used in gavage feedings.

NIPPLING: Sucking on a bottle filled with formula or breast milk.

NPO: Abbreviation from the Latin meaning "nothing by mouth."

PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus): Reopening of the ductus arteriosis which usually results in increased blood flow to the lungs. This may interfere with the infant’s lung function. It may need to be closed with medication or surgery.

PFC (Persistent Fetal Circulation): The persistence, after birth, of a pattern of circulation in which blood bypasses the lungs through the ductus arteriosus.

PFT’s (Pulmonary Function Tests): A series of tests that evaluate the function of the lung and specific therapies prescribed to improve lung function.

PHOTOTHERAPY: Treatment of infants with hyperbilirubinemia by exposure to bright lights called bililights.

PIE (Pulmonary Interstitial Emphysema): A condition occurring in infants on ventilators that results in the formation of "bubbles" around the air sacs. These "bubbles" may interfere with normal lung function.

PLASMA: Clear, fluid portion of blood (after the red cells have been removed).

PLATELETS: Elements of the blood needed for proper clotting.

PNEUMOGRAM: A sleep study, monitoring the baby’s breathing and heart rate during sleep to detect any abnormal breathing patterns.

PNEUMOTHORAX: A collection of air in the chest resulting from an air leak in the lungs.

POLYCYTHEMIA: A condition that causes "sluggish" circulation due to an abnormally high number of red blood cells.

PEEP (Positive End Expiratory Pressure): On a respirator, the constant amount of pressure exerted on the infant’s lungs to keep them expanded during and after breaths.

PREMATURE INFANT or PRE-TERM INFANT: A baby born before the thirty-seventh complete week of pregnancy.

PULSE OXIMETER: A device capable of measuring the oxygen content in the blood indirectly with a special light source. Usually applied to a hand or a foot.

RALES: Abnormal crackling noises in the chest made by air passing through congested bronchial tubes.

RETRACTION: An abnormal sucking in of the chest during breathing, indicating that great effort is required to breathe.

ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity): A condition affecting the retina in premature infants sometimes leading to visual impairment.

SEIZURE: A "short-circuiting" of electrical impulses in the brain, resulting from a variety of causes.

SGA (Small for Gestational Age): A newborn whose weight is abnormally low for the gestational age.

SIMV (Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation): The ventilator mode where the mechanical breaths given by the ventilator are synchronized with the baby’s spontaneous (regular) breaths.

SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE: Bleeding in the subarachnoid space, the area around the outside of the brain.

SURFACTANT: A chemical substance produced by cells in the lung that stabilizes the air sacs to allow for adequate gas exchange. Its deficiency leads to Hyaline Membrane Disease.

SURVANTA: A brand name of surfactant (see surfactant).

TACHYCARDIA: An abnormally fast heart rate; in an infant, above 160 beats per minute.

TACHYPNEA: An abnormally fast breathing rate.

THROMBOCYTOPENIA: An abnormal decrease in the number of blood platelets.

THRUSH: A fungus infection of the mouth characterized by white patches on a red, inflamed surface.

TRANSCUTANEOUS MONITOR: A device placed on the infant’s skin that records blood oxygen and/or carbon dioxide levels.

VENTILATOR: A device that assists an infant’s breathing by pushing air into the lungs through a breathing tube.

VENTRICLE: A fluid-filled space in the brain or a pumping chamber of the heart.

VENTRICULOPERITONEAL SHUNT: A plastic catheter surgically placed in the ventricle of the brain to drain spinal fluid from the brain into the abdominal cavity. This shunt is used to treat hydrocephalus.

VITAL SIGNS: Temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure and rate of respirations.

VITAMIN K: Given by injection soon after birth. Prevents a bleeding disorder called hemorrhagic disease of the newborn, caused by Vitamin K deficiency.

(Portions of this glossary taken from The Premature Baby Book by Helen Harrison. ©1983 by Helen Harrison. Reprinted with permission of St. Martin’s Press, Inc., NY, NY.)