Resources for Families in the NICU

High-Risk Newborn Glossary

• A - F

  Air leak - when air leaks through holes in the lung tissue into the spaces outside the lung airways.
  Alveoli- tiny sacs that are the smallest airways of the lungs.
  Asphyxia - a general term used to describe inadequate intake of oxygen by the baby.
  Bilirubin - substance formed when red blood cells break down and are excreted by the liver. Too much bilirubin in the blood causes jaundice.
  Bradycardia - slowing of the heart rate.
  Broncho Pulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) - see chronic lung disease.
  Chronic Lung Disease (Also called CLD or bronchopulmonary dysplasia) - A term for long-term respiratory problems in premature babies that results from lung injury from treatments with mechanical ventilators and oxygen.
  Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) - air or oxygen delivered under a small amount of pressure.
  Cytomegalovirus (CMV) - a virus related to the herpes virus group of infections.
  Dubowitz/Ballard exam - An examination used to estimate a newborn's gestational age from the baby's appearance, skin texture, motor function, and reflexes.
  Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) - a test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and detects heart muscle damage.
  Endotracheal Tube (ET) - a tube placed through the mouth or nose into the trachea (windpipe).
  Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) - a group of abnormalities in babies born to mothers who consume alcohol during pregnancy.

• G - L

  Gavage Feedings - feedings given through a tube inserted in the baby's mouth or nose into the stomach.
  Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn - a condition that occurs when there is an incompatibility between the blood types of the mother and baby, causing breaking down of red blood cells.
  Hemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn - a bleeding problem that occurs in a newborn during the first few days of life caused by a deficiency in vitamin K.
  Hyaline Membrane Disease (HMD) - see respiratory distress syndrome.
  Hyperglycemia - high amounts of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
  Hyperkalemia - high amounts of potassium in the blood.
  Hypernatremia - high amounts of sodium (salt) in the blood.
  Hypocalcemia - low calcium levels in the blood.
  Hypoglycemia - low amounts of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
  Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) - a term for inadequate fetal growth during pregnancy.
  Intravenous (IV) - a method of giving medication or fluids directly into the vein.
  Intraventricular Hemorrhage - bleeding inside the ventricles (hollow chambers) in the brain.
  Jaundice - a yellow coloring of the skin and/or eyes that is caused by too much bilirubin in the blood.
  Kernicterus - build up of bilirubin in the tissues of the brain.
  Lactation consultant (IBCLC - International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) - a nurse or other healthcare provider specially trained to help women with breastfeeding.
  Large for Gestational Age (LGA) - a term used to describe babies who are born weighing more than the usual amount for the number of weeks of pregnancy.
  Low Birth Weight - refers to a baby weighing less than 2,500 grams (5.5 pounds) at birth.

• M - R

  Meconium Aspiration - when a baby breathes in amniotic fluid containing meconium (the first bowel movement). This can occur prior to or during birth.
  Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) - a serious intestinal illness in babies that can cause tissue damage to the intestines.
  Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) - a term for a group of problems a baby experiences when withdrawing from drug use by the mother during pregnancy.
  Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) - a special care nursery that uses advanced technology and trained health professionals to care for sick and premature newborns.
  Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) - a condition in which the connecting blood vessel between the pulmonary artery and the aorta in fetal circulation stays open in a newborn baby.
  Periventricular Leukomalacia - softening of the white matter of the brain near the ventricles due to damage and death of brain tissue.
  Pneumomediastinum - air leaks into the mediastinum (the space in the thoracic cavity behind the sternum and between the two pleural sacs containing the lungs).
  Pneumopericardium - air leaks into the sac surrounding the heart.
  Pneumothorax - air leaks into the space between the chest wall and the outer tissues of the lungs.
  Polycythemia - a condition in which there are too many red blood cells in the blood circulation.
  Premature Baby - a baby born at or before the 37th week of pregnancy.
  Pulmonary Interstitial Emphysema (PIE) - air leaks and is trapped between the alveoli, the tiny air sacs.
  Respiratory Distress Syndrome (Also called RDS or hyaline membrane disease or HMD) - A condition of premature infant lungs due to insufficient surfactant, a substance in the lungs that helps the air sacs stay open.
  Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) - an infection that causes inflammation of the lower airways and pneumonia.
  Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) - a disorder of the blood vessels of the retina (the light sensitive part of the eye) that is common in premature babies.

• S - Z

  Small for Gestational Age (SGA) - a term used to describe a newborn who is smaller than normal for the number of weeks of pregnancy.
  Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) - the sudden and unexplained death of an infant under 1 year of age.
  Thrombocytopenia - a condition in which there are too few platelets (cells produced in the bone marrow that are needed for clotting).
  Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN) - a mild respiratory problem of babies, characterized by rapid breathing, that begins after birth and lasts about three days.
  Umbilical Artery Catheter - a tube that is placed into an umbilical artery of a sick newborn to allow fluids and medications to be given, and for blood to be drawn.
  Very Low Birth Weight - refers to a baby who is born weighing less than 1,500 grams (3 pounds, 4 ounces).
  X-ray - a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.