Below is a list of terms commonly used in a Neonatal & Special Care Units.
Absorb: The body’s ability to take in, or incorporate back into the body, fluid, or food.
Alveoli: Tiny sacs in the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged with the bloodstream.
Anaesthetic: A drug for bringing on loss of sensation (and hence pain) in many medical and surgical procedures. General Anaesthetic (GA) produces unconsciousness and is administered by a specially trained doctor called an Anaesthetist.
Antibiotics: Drugs used to fight off bacterial infection. They have names like penicillin, flucolxacillin, vancomycin and gentamicin.
Anaemia: The reduction to below normal levels of Haemoglobin (red blood cells) in the blood.
Aorta: The artery leading from the heart that supplies oxygenated blood to the body.
Apgar score: A numerical scoring system, usually applied at one and five minutes after the birth of all newborn babies. This is to evaluate the condition of the baby based on heart rate, respiration, muscle tone, and colour. The score is used by the doctor and nurse to determine if the baby needs assistance.
Apnoea: the temporary stopping of breathing by the baby, for 20 seconds or more.
Apnoea Monitor: A monitor that is connected to the baby with a sensor to specifically detect apnoea.
Arterial blood gas (arterial stick): A sample of blood taken from an artery to measure its oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acid content.
Arterial catheter (indwelling arterial catheter): A thin plastic tube placed in an artery to withdraw blood for testing and to measure blood pressure.
Artery: Any blood vessel leading away from the heart. Arteries carry oxygenated blood to the body tissues (with the exception of the pulmonary artery which carries non-oxygenated blood to the lungs from the heart).
Asphyxia: A lack of oxygen and high carbon dioxide level in the blood and tissues.
Aspiration: Breathing of material into the windpipe (trachea) or lungs, or the removal of material from the windpipe, lungs or stomach by suction.
Bagging: A ‘slang’ word to describe the procedure of applying a mask connected to a squeezable bag over the baby’s mouth and nose to achieve ventilation of the lungs.
Bilirubin: The name of the breakdown product of red blood cells. Excess amounts cause jaundice, a yellowing of the skin. Bilirubin is excreted in faeces.
Blood count: A test of a sample of blood to tell the numbers of red and white blood cells. Also known as a Cell Count.
Blood gas test: A test performed on a sample of arterial blood to be sure that the amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the bloodstream are normal.
Blood pressure (BP): The pressure or force that the blood exerts against the walls of the arteries in the circulation. It is described by three numbers; systolic (the top or high number), diastolic (the low or bottom number), and mean (average of systolic and diastolic).
Blood transfusion: Procedure for replenishing (topping up) the baby’s blood with adult donor blood.
Bonding: Establishing a close relationship between a parent and child.
Bradycardia: An abnormally slow heart rate measured by beats per minute of less that 100 beats per minute. Normal fetal heart rate is 120-160. Neonates heart rate averages 140 beats per minute.
Breast Pump: A device either hand or electrically operated to extract breast milk.
Bronchial tubes: The tubes that lead from the windpipe (trachea) to the lungs.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD): is a lung disease that affects newborn babies. In most cases BPD occurs in babies who are born prematurely and have required extra oxygen and/or ventilator, up to and after 28 days of life, to treat their original lung problem. In many cases, the symptoms of BPD disappear quite rapidly. Some babies with BPD may have breathing difficulties for many months or years.
Caffeine: A drug given to babies that helps them remember to breathe.
Candida: See Thrush.
Capillaries: Very small blood vessels which remove waste and provide oxygen and nutrients to body cells.
Carbon dioxide (CO2): Gaseous bodily waste product transported via the bloodstream and exhaled by the lungs.
CAT scanner or CT scanner (computerized axial tomography): Computer-controlled x-ray machine capable of capturing cross-section images of body tissues.
Catheter: A tube used to put fluid into the baby’s body, or to drain excessive fluids from the body.
Cerebral: Applying to the structure and functions of the brain.
Chest tube: A tube that has been inserted in the chest wall to section away air and allow a collapsed lung to re-expand.
Chromosomes: Each human body cell has 46 chromosomes, 23 pairs. Chromosomes are the genetic blueprint containing all the information that makes each human unique.
Colostomy: An opening, created through surgery, to allow the colon (lower part of the large intestine) to empty its contents directly through the wall of the abdomen.
Colostrum: The first breast milk produced after the birth of the baby. It is thick yellowish in colour, and high in protein and antibodies.
Corrected Age: The term used to describe the age your baby would have been if he/she was born full term. For example – for a baby born 9 weeks early, at 31 weeks gestation; at 9 months after his /her birth, his/her adjusted age is 7 months.
CPR: Cardio pulmonary resuscitation.
Electrolytes: Chemicals or salts (e.g. sodium) found in everyone’s body. A balance of electrolytes is important. Dehydration causes an imbalance and needs treatment.
Endotracheal Tube (ET tube): A plastic tube that is passed through the baby’s nose or mouth into the windpipe (trachea) and is connected to a ventilator (respirator).
Engorgement: The process of the breasts becoming uncomfortably large and tight feeling usually due to a low frequency of milk expressing or breast-feeding. This is usually more common when the breast milk first “comes in” several days after the birth.
Extended posture: A position in which a baby may lie with straight arms and legs.
Extubate: Removal of a tube from the trachea (airway), which is attached to a ventilator.
Fontanelle: The large soft spot on the top, and the smaller one on the back of the baby’s head. They will close within 12 and 18 months.
Formula milk: Special preparations usually based on cow’s milk, modified to closely resemble the chemical composition in human breast milk.
Gastrostomy: An opening in the abdominal wall, created through surgery, to provide nutrition straight to the stomach when the esophageus is injured or blocked, or to provide proper drainage after abdominal surgery is performed to maximise nutrition.
Gavage feedings: Feedings through a tube inserted through the mouth or nose that goes straight to the stomach.
Genitalia: Sex organs: penis, vagina, labia or scrotum.
Gestational age: The time (in weeks) from the last menstrual period. A full term pregnancy is 40 weeks.
Glucose: A natural sugar. A main source of energy for the body.
Haemoglobin (Hb): The colouring of red blood cells, carrying oxygen from the lungs to body tissues.
Haemorrhage: A medial term to describe bleeding, either inside or outside the body.
Head box (oxyhood): A clear plastic box that is placed over the baby’s head to provide additional humidified oxygen.
Head circumference: Measurement of the maximum distance around the baby’s head.
Head scan: see Ultrasound.
Heat shield: Clear plastic shield placed over the baby to reduce heat loss. This can be used in either an open or closed incubator.
Heel prick: A small prick in the baby’s heel, made so that a blood sample can be obtained for testing usually for blood gases or blood glucose levels.
Heredity: Characteristics transmitted from one generation to another in genes on the chromosomes.
Hernia (inguinal): A lump under the skin in a groin area caused by a part of the intestine protruding through a fragile part of the abdominal wall.
Hernia (umbilical): At the naval or umbilicus, a lump under the skin caused by a part of the intestine that protrudes through a fragile area in the abdominal wall.
Hind milk: Breast milk of a much higher fat content that follows the let-down reflex once baby has been suckling for a few moments.
Hypoglycaemia: The condition of having a low level of sugar in the blood.
Incubator: Special enclosed bed for a newborn in which temperature, oxygen, and humidity can be controlled.
Infection: The invasion of a person’s body either internally or externally and the rapid multiplying growth of micro organisms, in other words “bugs”. A bacterial infection is usually fought with an antibiotic. Viral infections cannot be treated with an antibiotic.
Intravenous (IV): The administration of fluids, or drugs through a hollow needle inserted into a vein.
Intubation: The passing of a small plastic tube through the mouth into the baby’s wind pipe (trachea) as a part of the ventilation process.
Isolation: The name for the area where babies are nursed on their own, in case they pass on their contagious infections to the other babies or need protecting because they are more fragile.
IUGR: Intra Uterine Growth Retardation; see SGA.
IV: Intravenous, into the vein.
IVI: Intravenous infusion.
Jaundice: The yellow colour of a baby’s skin caused by raised bilirubin in the blood.
Kangaroo care: When a parent holds their baby skin to skin in an upright position on the parent’s chest. Kangaroo care promotes breastfeeding, promotes stabile breathing and heartbeat for your baby. Your baby stays beautifully warm with this contact.
Lactation: The body’s process of making breast milk.
Murmur: Sound of turbulent blood flow in heart or blood vessel.
NAD: Nothing abnormal detected, usually written on the notes.
Nasogastric Tube (NG tube): A very thin flexible tube that can be passed through a nostril or by the mouth to the stomach. Babies can be either ‘tube fed’ or have the contents of their stomach checked by aspirating. Used for feeding babies too young to feed by sucking milk from the breast or bottle.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC): An inflammation of the gut wall and lining, that affects some premature babies.
Neonatal: Newborn, describing the first 28 days of life (although many babies are in NICU for longer than 28 days).
Neonatologist: A doctor who is specially trained in the care of sick and premature newborns.
NICU: Neonatal intensive care unit.
Open Incubator: An incubator that is an open bed with an overhead warmer (heater) to keep baby’s body temperature constant.
Oxygen: A gas that makes up about 20% of the air we breathe. Some babies who have breathing difficulties may need more oxygen than that supplied in the air. It is measured in percentages and in litres per minute.
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA): A “typical” situation in premmies where the foetal blood vessel which links the aorta and the pulmonary artery does not close following birth.
Phototherapy: Treatment for jaundice that involves the use of ultraviolet or halogen light directed at the baby in the incubator. Treatment usually lasts for several days.
Plasma: The fluid component of blood in which the blood cells are suspended.
Pneumothorax: A leak of air out of baby’s lungs, but still within the chest cavity. This can press on the lungs and will usually require draining away outside the body through a tube.
Prone: Describes the position of the baby, when lying on his stomach.
Pulse: The rhythmic expansion and contraction of an artery with blood flow which may be felt with the finger.
Pulse oximeter: A monitor which measures the amount of oxygen in the baby’s blood stream. It is usually fixed to the foot or the hand. It has a red light.
Respirator: A machine (also known as a Ventilator) that regularly pumps air in and out of the lungs when baby cannot breathe for himself.
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (also know as Hyaline Membrane Disease): Usually baby’s lungs are kept open by a chemical, called surfactant that everyone has in their lungs. Some babies have less surfactant and the alveoli (small air sacs in the lungs) start to close up, making it really hard for baby to breathe. The baby develops RDS, that is, has increasing difficulty in breathing. Babies are ventilated and may be given artificial surfactant.
Respite: Regular breaks from caring for a family member. These breaks are often called respite, and the services that help you arrange breaks are usually called respite care services.
Retina: The back of the eye where blood-vessels supplying the light sensitive cells are located.
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP): The abnormal growth of the blood vessels of the eye, seen in many premature infants. This happens because the blood vessels are not finished developing at the time of a premature infants birth. They have to finish developing outside the protected environment of the womb.
Room air: The air, containing 21% oxygen, that we normally breathe.
Rooming in: The time when you stay overnight at the hospital and have total care of your baby just prior to coming home.
Sedation: The use of a drug, which will quieten the baby down, promoting less movement and a placid state of being. This is sometimes done to babies who are being ventilated, so they don’t fight the ventilator and become more stressed.
Septicaemia: An infection in the bloodstream affecting the whole body.
Shunt: A passage made artificially, between two areas of the body, usually placed to drain liquid.
Small for Gestation Age (SGA) or small for dates: Babies born weighing a lot less than other babies of the same gestation at birth.
Squint or Strabismus: A condition in which the eye muscles can’t hold both eyes to look in the same direction. This gives a cross-eyed look, which is more noticeable when the person is tired.
Sterile: Free from contamination by living microbes (bugs).
Steroids: (1) A large group of chemically related compounds of diverse origins and function. Those related to cortisol from the adrenal gland can help to mature the lungs of a foetus before birth. (2) Used to reduce lung swelling in BPD.
Stimulation: (1) developmental encouragement given to the baby, either by talking, singing, reading or having things to look at. (2) Physical encouragement to continue breathing, such as tickling or a gentle prod when an apnoea occurs.
Suction: Aspiration of gas or fluid, usually from the lungs by mechanical means.
Supine: Describes the position of the baby, when lying on his back.
Supplementary: In addition to. Usually referring to adding vitamins and minerals to the baby’s diet, or complementing breast with milk formula feeding.
Surfactant: Compounds which line the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs reducing surface tension and thereby preventing lung collapse on breathing out (expiration). Artificial or synthetic surfactant is now available for those infants who have difficulty producing their own shortly after birth. It is given to babies through the ventilator. Surfactants have names like Curosurf or Survanta.
Suture: (1) Stitches for holding together surgical incisions. (2) Lines in a babies skull.
Syringe: An apparatus for injecting into or withdrawing fluids from the body.
Tachycardia: Rapid heart rate, above 170 beats per minute.
Tachypnoea: Rapid breathing rate, over 60 breaths per minute.
Thrush: A fungal infection of the mouth.
Total parenteral nutrition (TPN): Feeding (nutrition) a mixture of sugar, minerals, vitamins and proteins given via a drip (IV).
Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN): A condition when a baby breathes with quick, shallow breathes (usually over 80 breaths per minute). It is often caused by fluid in the lungs and will improve as this fluid is absorbed. Some babies need oxygen as this resolves. TTN is often associated with cesarean delivery.
UTI: An abbreviation for urinary tract infection.
Umbilical Catheter, Arterial or Venous (UAC, UVC:): A tube inserted through the belly button (umbilical cord) into the arterial or venous blood vessels. Either tube is used to give the baby fluids and to draw blood samples. The UAC is used to monitor the baby’s blood pressure. If the baby requires oxygen therapy, the UAC will be used to draw blood gases and blood samples.
Ventilator: A machine which fills the baby’s lungs with air and helps the baby breathe. Also called a respirator.
Vein: A blood vessel which goes to the heart, carrying non-oxygenated blood.
Ventricle: (1) A tiny chamber, as in those of the heart. (2) Tiny chambers in the middle of the brain where cerebrospinal fluid is created.
Virus: A small infectious organism that thrives in the cells of the body.
VLBW: Very Low Birth Weight.
‘W’ Sitting: Child sits between their heels on the floor. The leg position resembles a ‘W’ shape.
LLT would like to acknowledge “A Hitchhikers Guide to the Neonatal Unit” – Original Author (1995) – J. Lawson Revised (2003) by C. Keville, E.Dyne and T.Ross for using the glossary contents © Copyright 1995
