Neonatal Glossary

Here's a handy glossary of some of the more frequently used medical terms you may hear during the treatment of your premature or seriously ill newborn in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Lankenau Medical Center.

acidosis: an excess of acid in the blood and body tissues

AGA (appropriate for gestational age): describes a baby whose birth weight falls within the normal range for his or her 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 10 indicating a baby’s physical condition immediately following birth

ABG (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 procedure in which a needle is 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): a chronic lung disease related to prematurity, respiratory distress and the respirator therapy used 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 reexpand

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): a small tube, placed in the windpipe, to deliver air and oxygen directly to the lungs with a ventilator

exchange transfusion: replacement of 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 an endotracheal tube from a 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: refers to an infant born between the 38th and 42nd weeks after the first day of the last menstrual period

gavage feeding: feedings given through a tube passed through 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: a procedure in which a baby’s heel is pricked 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 breaths per minute, or BPM)

high-frequency oscillatory ventilator: a special ventilator capable of breathing for a baby at rates exceeding those of a normal ventilator (e.g., 120 to 1,320 BPM)

HMD or RDS (hyaline membrane disease or respiratory distress syndrome): a condition affecting premature babies that is 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 (see also jaundice)

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

jaundice: a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes cause by an excess of bilirubin in the blood (see also hyperbilirubinemia)

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): refers to a baby who weighs less than five and one-half pounds at birth; can be premature or full-term

LGA (large for gestational age): describes 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 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): a reopening of the ductus arteriosis that usually results in increased blood flow to the lungs; may interfere with the infant’s lung function and 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

PFTs (pulmonary function tests): a series of tests that evaluate the function of the lungs 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; the 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, which leads to a lung collapse

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 preterm infant: a baby born before the 37th 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): refers to 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; surfactant 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: a vitamin given by injection soon after birth to prevent 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., New York, NY.)