| ANEMIA |
The condition of too few red blood cells. |
| ANTIBIOTICS |
Drugs which can either kill bacteria or slow their growth; used in treating bacterial infections. |
| APNEA |
The condition of not breathing. |
| ASPIRATION |
Inhalation of material (formula, meconium or stomach juice) into the trachea (windpipe) and lungs. |
| BILIRUBIN |
A pigment produced in the breakdown of red blood cells that appears as yellow skin coloring (jaundice). |
| BILILIGHTS |
Lights placed over or under the infant to help in the breakdown of bilirubin, thereby reducing jaundice. |
| BIOX |
A machine that measures oxygen level through a small probe on the infant's hand or foot. |
| BLOOD GASES |
Laboratory test to determine the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. |
| BRADYCARDIA |
Slow heart rate. |
| CAT SCAN |
A special x-ray study which uses a computer to create an image of the body or a part of the body. |
| CHEST P.T. |
Vibration on the chest to loosen secretions and suctioning to remove mucous from the lungs. |
| CYANOSIS |
Condition in which the skin, lips and nails are blue from lack of oxygen in the blood. |
| DEXTROSTIX |
A special strip of plastic used to determine how much sugar is present in a sample of blood. |
| DISTENDED ABDOMEN |
Full, tight appearance of the stomach. |
| EKG (Electroencephalogram) |
Test done to measure brain wave pattern or to look for seizures. |
| ECHO (Echocardiogram) |
A heart test done with sound waves to pick up the image of the heart and its vessels through the chest wall without hurting the baby. |
| GAVAGE |
A method of feeding the baby fluids by inserting a small plastic tube, called and orogastric (OG) tube, through the mouth or nose into the stomach. |
| GESTATIONAL AGE |
Age of the baby in weeks, determined from the time of conception. |
| GLUCOSE |
Sugar in the blood used for energy. |
| GRUNTING |
Noises heard when a baby is having difficulty breathing. |
| HEELSTICK |
A small prick in the heel to obtain a blood sample. |
| HEMATOCRIT |
The percentage of red blood cells in the blood. |
| HYALIN MEMBRANE DISEASE (RDS) |
A respiratory disease often seen in premature infants. Caused by immature lung development. |
| HYPERALIMENTATION |
Giving nutrients through a vein for babies who cannot be fed by mouth. |
| INCUBATOR (Isolette) |
An enclosed, heated Plexiglas bed. |
| INTRALIPID |
A white, high calorie solution also administered through a vein to provide fat for babies who can not be fed by mouth. |
| INTRVENOUS (IV) |
Introduction of fluids into a vein. |
| INTUBATION |
Insertion of a tube through the nose or mouth into the trachea (windpipe). |
| I & O (Intake and Output) |
Total amount of fluid taken in, then lost as urine, stool or perspiration. |
| JAUNDICE |
(See bilirubin) |
| MECONIUM |
A baby's first stool, which is greenish or black. |
| NASAL CANNULA |
A special tubing that is used to give oxygen through the nose, making holding and feeding easier. |
| NPO |
Baby will get nothing to eat by mouth. |
| PICC (pick) LINE |
A special IV line used to provide fluids into a vein. In general, a PICC line is very stable and lasts longer than a typical IV. |
| PNEUMONIA |
Inflammation of infection of the lungs. |
| PNEUMOTHORAX |
Accumulation of air between the outer lining of the lung and the chest wall, causing collapse of the lung. |
| PREMATURE INFANT |
A baby who is born before 37 weeks of gestation. |
| RESPIRATOR (Ventilator) |
A machine that breathes for an infant. |
| ROUNDS |
The gathering of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals to discuss the condition and care of patients. |
| SEPSIS |
Infection |
| SPINAL TAP (LP) |
Insertion of a small needle through the back into he spinal column to obtain a sample of spinal fluid. |
| SUCTION |
Removal of secretions from the nose or throat or from an endotracheal tube using a small plastic tube connected to a vacuum outlet. |
| STOOL |
Bowel movement |
| TRANSFUSION |
Giving blood or blood products to a baby through a vein. |
| UMBILICAL CATHETER (or Umbilical Line) |
A tiny plastic tube inserted into the blood vessel of a baby's umbilical cord used to give the baby fluids and to withdraw blood samples. |
| VITAL SIGNS |
Temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure. |
