Neonatology: Vocabulary

Question 1

Neonate

Answer 1

An infant from the time of birth to one month of age

Question 2

Newborn

Answer 2

Baby in the first few hours of its life; also called a newborn infant

Question 3

Antepartum

Answer 3

Before the onset of labor

Question 4

Intrapartum

Answer 4

Occurring during childbirth

Question 5

Extrauterin

Answer 5

Outside the uterus

Question 6

Ductus arteriosus

Answer 6

Channel between the main pulmonary artery and the aorta of the fetus

Question 7

Persistent fetal circulation

Answer 7

Condition in which blood continues to bypass the fetal respiratory system, resulting in ongoing hypoxia

Question 8

Diaphragmatic hernia

Answer 8

Protrudion of the abdominal contents into the thoracic cavity through an opening in the diaphragm

Question 9

Meningomyelocele

Answer 9

Herniation of the spinal cord and membranes through a defect in the spinal column

Question 10

Omphalocele

Answer 10

Congenital hernia of the umbilicus

Question 11

Choanal Atresia

Answer 11

Congenitial Closure of the passage between the nose and pharynx by a bony or membranous structure.

Question 12

Cleft Palate

Answer 12

Congenital fissure in the roof of th mouth, forming a passageway between oral and nasal cavities.

Question 13

Cleft Lip

Answer 13

Congenital vertical fissure in the upper lip

Question 14

Pierre Robin Syndrome

Answer 14

Usually small jaw, combined with a cleft palate, downward displacement of the tongue, and an absent gag reflex.

Question 15

What are the five parts of the APGAR scale?

Answer 15

Appearance
Pulse
Grimace
Activity
Respirations

Question 16

How is Appearance rated?

Answer 16

0- Totally Blue
1- Extremities Blue, Core Pink
2-Pink Extremities and Core

Question 17

How is pulse rated?

Answer 17

0- Absent
1- < 60
2- >60

Question 18

How is Grimace rated?

Answer 18

0- No response
1- Grimace Present
2- Cough, sneeze, cry

Question 19

How is activity rated?

Answer 19

0- Limp
1- Some flexion of extremities
2- Active motion

Question 20

How is respiration rated?

Answer 20

0- Absent
1- Shallow and irregular
2- Strong cry

Question 21

DeLee Suction Trap

Answer 21

A suction device that contains a suction trap connected to a suction catheter. The negative pressure that powers it can come either from the mouth of the operator or, preferably, from an external vacuum source.

Question 22

Meconium

Answer 22

Dark green material found in the intestine of the full-term newborn. It can be expelled from the intestine into the amniotic fluid during periods of fetal distress.

Question 23

Polycythemia

Answer 23

An excess of red blood cells. In a newborn, the condition may reflect hypovolemia or prolonged intrauterine hypoxia.

Question 24

Hyperbilirubinemia

Answer 24

Excess amount of bilirubin— the orange-colored pigment associated with bile— in the blood. In newborns, the condition appears as jaundice. Precipitating factors include maternal Rh or ABO incompatibility, neonatal sepsis, anoxia, hypoglycemia, and congenital liver or gastrointestinal defects

Question 25

Vagal Response

Answer 25

Stimulation of the vagus nerve causing a parasympathetic response

Question 26

Glottic Function

Answer 26

Opening and closing of the glottis space.

Question 27

PEEP

Answer 27

Positive end exploratory pressure.

Question 28

Nasogastric tube/orogastric tube

Answer 28

A tube that runs through the nose or mouth and esophagus into the stomach, used for administering liquid nutrients or medications or for removing air or liquids for the stomach.

Question 29

Issolette

Answer 29

Also known as an incubator; a clear plastic-enclosed bassinet used to keep prematurely born infants warm. The temperature of an Issolette can be adjusted regardless of the room temperature. Some isolettes also provide humidity control.

Question 30

Herniation

Answer 30

Protrusion or projection of an organ or part of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it.

Question 31

Acrocyanosis

Answer 31

Cyanosis of the extremities.

Question 32

Phototherapy

Answer 32

Exposure to sunlight or artificial light for therapeutic purposes. In newborns, light issued to treat hyperbilirubinemia or jaundice.

Question 33

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)

Answer 33

A generalized disorder presenting a generalized picture of CNS hyper irritability, gastrointestinal dysfunction, respiratory distress, and vague autonomic symptoms. It may be due to intrauterine exposure to heroin, methadone, or other less potent opiates. Nonopiate central nervous system depression may also cause NAS.

Question 34

Thyrotoxicosis

Answer 34

Toxic condition characterized by tachycardia, nervous symptoms, and rapid metabolism due to hyperactivity of the thyroid gland.