XX Glossary

Acrocyanosis: A bluish discoloration of the hands and feet in newborns; typically a benign condition related to immature circulation and often resolves on its own. (Chapter 20.2)

Acyanotic defects: Congenital heart defects that do not significantly affect oxygenation but may lead to other circulatory problems. (Chapter 20.6)

Amnioexchange: A procedure in which amniotic fluid is replaced to treat fetal conditions like polyhydramnios or meconium aspiration. (Chapter 20.6)

Anencephaly: A severe neural tube defect where major portions of the brain and skull are absent at birth. (Chapter 20.6)

Apnea of prematurity (AOP): A temporary cessation of breathing in preterm infants due to an immature central respiratory system, often resolving as the baby matures. (Chapter 20.2)

Birth asphyxia: A condition that occurs when the fetal brain and organs don’t receive enough oxygen and nutrients before, during, or after birth that can result in brain damage, organ damage, or death. (Chapter 20.1)

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD): A chronic lung disease that primarily affects premature infants who require prolonged mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy due to underdeveloped lungs. (Chapter 20.2)

Brown fat: A specialized type of fat found in newborns that generates heat to help regulate body temperature, especially in preterm infants who have limited thermal regulation. (Chapter 20.2)

Central cyanosis: A bluish discoloration of the lips, tongue, and trunk due to inadequate oxygenation in the blood, requiring immediate medical attention. (Chapter 20.2)

Closed neural tube defects: A less severe form of spina bifida, where the spinal cord is malformed but the neural tube remains intact. (Chapter 20.6)

Congenital disorders: Conditions present at birth, often due to genetic or environmental factors, affecting the structure or function of organs. (Chapter 20.6)

Cyanotic defects: Congenital heart defects that result in reduced oxygenation of blood, causing a bluish tint to the skin (cyanosis). (Chapter 20.6)

Disorganized feeding: A condition in which newborns exhibit difficulty with feeding, often due to neurological or sensory issues, leading to inconsistent sucking and swallowing. (Chapter 20.8)

Down syndrome (Trisomy 21): A genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21, leading to developmental delays and specific physical traits. (Chapter 20.6)

Dysmaturity syndrome: A condition seen in post-term infants characterized by chronic intrauterine malnutrition, leading to thin, peeling skin, meconium staining, and decreased subcutaneous fat. (Chapter 20.3)

Early-onset neonatal sepsis: Sepsis occurring within the first 72 hours of life, usually acquired from the mother during birth. (Chapter 20.5)

Encephalocele: A neural tube defect where brain tissue protrudes through an opening in the skull. (Chapter 20.6)

Endotracheal tube (ETT): A flexible tube inserted into the trachea through the mouth or nose to provide mechanical ventilation and airway support in critically ill neonates. (Chapter 20.2)

Esophageal atresia: A congenital condition where the esophagus is malformed, often leading to feeding and swallowing difficulties. (Chapter 20.6)

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO): A life-support technique that provides oxygenation and circulatory support for critically ill neonates with severe respiratory or cardiac failure. (Chapter 20.2)

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs): A range of physical, behavioral, and cognitive disabilities in a child caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy. (Chapter 20.8)

Gastroschisis: A birth defect where the intestines protrude outside the body through an opening in the abdominal wall. (Chapter 20.6)

Genetic disorder: A disorder caused by abnormalities in the DNA, either inherited or occurring spontaneously. (Chapter 20.6)

High-risk newborn: An infant who is born prematurely or with a health condition that increases their risk of developmental and health problems. (Chapter 20.1)

Infant mortality: The death of an infant before their first birthday. (Chapter 20.1)

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR): When the fetus doesn’t receive enough nutrients and oxygen during pregnancy, impacting the growth and development of their organs and tissues. (Chapter 20.4)

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH): Bleeding into the brain’s ventricular system, commonly seen in preterm infants due to fragile blood vessels, potentially leading to neurological complications. (Chapter 20.2)

Lanugo: Fine hair that covers much of the body. (Chapter 20.2)

Large for gestational age (LGA): A term used to describe infants whose birth weight is above the 90th percentile for their gestational age, indicating excessive fetal growth. (Chapter 20.3, Chapter 20.4)

Late-onset neonatal sepsis (LONS): Sepsis developing between 72 hours and 28 days of life, often due to environmental or hospital-acquired infections. (Chapter 20.5)

Macrosomia: A condition in which a newborn has an excessive birth weight, typically defined as greater than 4,000–4,500 grams (8 lb. 13 oz.–9 lb. 15 oz.), often associated with maternal diabetes or prolonged gestation. (Chapter 20.4)

Meconium: The first stool of a newborn, which is thick, sticky, and dark green, composed of materials ingested in utero such as amniotic fluid, mucus, and epithelial cells. (Chapter 20.3)

Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS): A serious respiratory condition in newborns caused by the inhalation of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, which can lead to airway obstruction, inflammation, and respiratory distress. (Chapter 20.3)

Meningocele: A type of spina bifida where the meninges (protective covering of the brain and spinal cord) protrude through an opening in the vertebrae, without the spinal cord. (Chapter 20.6)

Myelomeningocele: A more severe form of spina bifida, where both the meninges and spinal cord protrude through an opening in the spine, causing nerve damage and potential paralysis. (Chapter 20.6)

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC): A serious intestinal disease in premature infants where portions of the bowel become inflamed, infected, or necrotic, leading to potential perforation and sepsis. (Chapter 20.2)

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS): A group of withdrawal symptoms experienced by newborns exposed to addictive substances, such as opioids, in utero. (Chapter 20.8)

Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU): A specialized hospital unit that provides critical care for newborns who are premature, have low birth weight, or have medical conditions requiring intensive monitoring and treatment. (Chapter 20.1)

Neonatal resuscitation: A series of systematic steps to assess and support newborns who require help with breathing and circulation immediately after birth. (Chapter 20.9)

Neonatal sepsis: A life-threatening bloodstream infection in newborns, leading to systemic inflammation and organ dysfunction. (Chapter 20.5)

Neural tube: A narrow channel that folds and closes during the third and fourth weeks of pregnancy. (Chapter 20.6)

Neural tube defects (NTDs): Birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord that occur when the neural tube doesn’t close properly during early fetal development. (Chapter 20.6)

Omphalocele: A congenital defect where the abdominal organs protrude into the umbilical cord, covered by a membrane. (Chapter 20.6)

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA): A congenital heart defect in which the ductus arteriosus fails to close at birth. (Chapter 20.2)

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN): A condition in which a newborn’s circulation does not adapt to breathing outside the womb, causing high blood pressure in the lungs and poor oxygenation. (Chapter 20.2)

Pneumothorax: A condition in which air leaks into the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing lung collapse, which can occur in newborns due to mechanical ventilation, respiratory distress, or trauma during delivery. (Chapter 20.3)

Post-term birth: A birth that occurs after 42 completed weeks (294 days) of gestation. (Chapter 20.3)

Preterm birth: Infants born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy. (Chapter 20.2)

Primiparity: The condition of being pregnant for the first time or having given birth to one child. (Chapter 20.3)

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS): A lung condition in preterm infants caused by surfactant deficiency, leading to difficulty breathing, hypoxia, and respiratory failure. (Chapter 20.2)

Retinal detachment: A severe condition where the retina separates from the underlying tissue, which can occur as a complication of retinopathy of prematurity, leading to vision loss. (Chapter 20.2)

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP): A disorder affecting the retinal blood vessels of premature infants, potentially leading to vision impairment or blindness if untreated. (Chapter 20.2)

Retractions: The visible sinking in of the chest wall with each breath, indicating increased respiratory effort and distress in newborns. (Chapter 20.2)

Small for gestational age (SGA): A term used for infants whose birth weight is below the 10th percentile for their gestational age, often due to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). (Chapter 20.3, Chapter 20.4)

Spina bifida: A neural tube defect where the spinal cord and vertebrae do not fully form, leading to potential paralysis or other neurological impairments. (Chapter 20.6)

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS): The sudden, unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant under one year of age, typically occurring during sleep. (Chapter 20.2)

Surfactant: Substance that prevents the alveoli from collapsing. (Chapter 20.2)

TABC: Temperature, airway, breathing, and circulation. (Chapter 20.9)

Three C’s: Coughing, choking, and cyanosis. Symptoms often seen in infants with tracheoesophageal fistula or esophageal atresia, caused by feeding difficulties and aspiration. (Chapter 20.6)

Tracheoesophageal fistula: A congenital defect where an abnormal connection forms between the trachea and esophagus, often associated with esophageal atresia. (Chapter 20.6)

Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN): A mild, self-limiting respiratory condition in newborns caused by delayed clearance of fetal lung fluid, leading to rapid breathing shortly after birth. (Chapter 20.2)

Trisomy 21: A genetic condition where an individual has three copies of chromosome 21, leading to intellectual and developmental delays, and characteristic physical features. (Chapter 20.6)

Two-thumb technique: A method used to provide positive pressure ventilation to an infant during neonatal resuscitation, where both thumbs are placed on the infant’s chest to compress the sternum, aiding in heart function when traditional chest compressions are needed. (Chapter 20.9)

VACTERL syndrome: A group of congenital abnormalities, including Vertebral defects, Anal atresia, Cardiac defects, Tracheoesophageal fistula, Esophageal atresia, Renal abnormalities, and Limb defects. (Chapter 20.6)

Very late-onset neonatal sepsis: Sepsis occurring after 28 days, primarily affecting preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). (Chapter 20.5)