Glossary of Common NICU Terms

A–E | F–J | K–O | P–T | U–Z

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A

Abduction

The movement of an arm or leg away from the midline of the body. Abduction of both legs spreads the legs. The opposite of abduction is adduction; adduction of the legs brings them together.

Acidosis

A condition in which the red blood cells in the blood — measured by a hematocrit, or "crit" — are lower than normal.

Adjusted Age

Also known as "corrected age." This is your child's chronological age minus the number of weeks he or she was born early. For example, if your 9-month-old was born 2 months early, you can expect him or her to look and act like a 7-month old. Usually you can stop age-adjusting by the age of 2 or 3.

Aminophylline

A medication used to stimulate an infant's central nervous system. It is prescribed to reduce the incidence of apneic episodes. This is the intravenous form; the oral form is known as Theophylline.

Anemia

A condition in which the red blood cells in the blood — measured by a hematocrit, or "crit" — are lower than normal. Red blood cells carry oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from tissue

Apgar Score

A numerical summary of a newborn's condition at birth based on five different scores, measured at 1 minute and 5 minutes. (Additional measurements are made every five minutes thereafter if the score is less than 7 at five minutes, until the score reaches 7 or greater.) Premature infants generally have lower scores than full-term infants, but the Apgar score does not accurately predict future development.

Apnea

Cessation of breathing lasting 20 seconds or longer. Also known as an apneic episodes or apneic spells. It is common for premature infants to stop breathing for a few seconds. They almost always restart on their own, but occasionally they need stimulation or drug therapy to maintain regular breathing. The heart rate often slows with apnea; this is called bradycardia. The combination of apnea and bradycardia is often called an A&B spell.

Apnea gradually becomes less frequent as premature infants mature and grow. There is no relationship between apnea and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Appropriate for Gestational Age (AGA)

A baby whose birth weight falls within the normal range for his or her gestational age.

Aspiration

1. The accidental sucking in of food particles or fluids into the lungs.

2. Removal of a sample of fluid and cells through a needle.

B

Bethamethasone

A steroid medication given to the mother before birth to help the baby's lungs mature more quickly. It is most effective if it is given more than 24 hours before delivery. Betamethasone also helps intestines, kidneys and other systems to mature.

Bilirubin

Yellow chemical that is a normal waste product from the breakdown of hemoglobin and other similar body components. The placenta clears bilirubin from the fetus's blood, but after delivery this task belongs to the infant. It usually takes a week or more for the newborn's liver to adjust to its new workload. When bilirubin accumulates, it makes the skin and eyes look yellow, a condition called jaundice.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

A blood test that measures how well the kidneys are functioning.

Blood Gas

A blood test used to evaluate an infant's level of oxygen, carbon dioxide and acid. This test is significant because it helps to evaluate an infant's respiratory status.

Bradycardia (“Brady”)

An abnormally low heart rate. Bradys are usually associated with apnea in premature infants. During these spells the infant will stop breathing for at least 15 seconds and the heart rate will start to slow, also referred to as an "A&B spell." Gentle touching or other stimulation almost always restarts the breathing and increases the heart rate. Medications (theophylline or caffeine) are often used to treat these spells in newborn babies.

Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response Test

A hearing test where a tiny earphone is placed in the baby's ear to deliver sound. Small sensors, taped to the baby's head, send information to a machine that measures the electrical activity in her brain in response to the sound. Premature babies are at increased risk of hearing problems, but early detection can prevent speech and language problems.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)

A chronic lung disease of babies, when the lungs do not work properly and the babies have trouble breathing. It is often diagnosed when a premature baby with respiratory problems continues to need additional oxygen after reaching 36 weeks gestational age. Also referred to as Chronic Lung Disease (CLD), it is most common in babies who are born before 34 weeks gestation. Doctors think babies get BPD because their lungs are sensitive to something damaging in the environment, such as oxygen, a breathing machine, or an infection. For more information on BPD, visit the American Lung Association® site.

BROVIAC® Catheter

Type of intravenous tube used to give fluids and medications to infants or children. The catheter is placed in a major vein of the body during surgery. The BROVIAC® catheter is designed to stay in place over many months, if needed. There are other types of catheters with different names, all of which serve the same function.

C

Caffeine citrate (Cafcit®)

A central nervous system stimulant that's used to treat certain breathing problems in some preemies. This medication is given intravenously.

Case Manager

A patient advocate who coordinates health services and home care with the insurance company during hospitalization.

Central Venous Line (CVL)

The central venous line (CVL), also called the central venous catheter (CVD), is a type of intravenous tube used to give fluids and medications. The catheter is placed in a major vein of the body during surgery or by insertion through a vein in the arm, leg or head.

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe a group of chronic conditions affecting body movement and muscle coordination. It is caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain, usually occurring during fetal development; before, during, or shortly after birth; or during infancy. Thus, these disorders are not caused by problems in the muscles or nerves. Instead, faulty development or damage to motor areas in the brain disrupts the brain's ability to adequately control movement and posture.

"Cerebral" refers to the brain and "palsy" to muscle weakness/poor control. Cerebral palsy itself is not progressive (i.e., it does not get worse); however, secondary conditions, such as muscle spasticity, can develop which may get better over time, get worse, or remain the same. CP is not communicable. It is not a disease and should not be referred to as such. Although cerebral palsy is not "curable" in the accepted sense, training and therapy can help improve function. For more information, visit the website for United Cerebral Palsy®.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Fluid (produced by the ventricles of the brain) that circulates around the spinal column and brain.

Charge Nurse

The registered nurse who has general responsibility for coordinating the nursing care of all babies in a unit for a particular shift. Nursing shifts may be either 8 or 12 hours.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

Supplemental oxygen or room air delivered under pressure though either an endotracheal tube (tube that goes directly into the infant's lungs) or small tubes or prongs that sit in the nostrils. Delivering oxygen under pressure helps keep air sacs in the lungs open and also helps maintain a clear airway to the lungs. Nasal CPAP (NCPAP) is commonly used immediately after removing the endotracheal tube to treat apnea and/or prevent the need for an endotracheal tube and ventilator.

Crit

Slang for hematocrit, this is a test used to determine the percentage of red blood cells compared to total blood volume. It is commonly used to test for anemia. It is significant in that is helps show a baby's ability to supply oxygen to his or her organs and tissues.

D

Developmentally Delayed / Disabled

A term used to describe infants and toddlers who have not achieved skills and abilities which are expected to be mastered by children of the same age. Delays can be in any of the following areas: physical, social, emotional, intellectual, speech and language and/or adaptive development, sometimes called self-help skills, which include dressing, toileting, and feeding. Many developmental delays can be overcome with early intervention programs.

Developmental Milestones

Major and minor social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills acquired by children as they grow up.

E

Early Intervention Program

Planned use of physical therapy and other interventions in the first few years of a child's life to enhance the child's development. Connecticut's Birth To Three program is an early intervention program.

Echocardiogram (“Echo”)

Ultrasound picture of the heart. This is a painless, non-invasive procedure that takes accurate pictures of almost all parts of the heart. Many preemies have a cardiac ultrasound if the doctor is looking for evidence of a patent ductus arteriosus.

Edema

Puffiness or swelling, usually because of fluid retention in the body tissues.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

A test that records the electrical activity of the heart. It can show abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias) or detect heart muscle damage.

Endotracheal Tube (ETT or ET Tube)

Tube placed through the mouth or nose into the throat and the child's trachea (windpipe). This tube provides a secure pathway through which air can be circulated to the lungs.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)

This long name means "oxygenation outside the body." It's used for babies whose lungs are not working properly (i.e., transferring oxygen into the blood and removing carbon dioxide) despite other treatments. The ECMO takes over the work of the lungs so they can rest and heal. It's similar to the heart-lung bypass used during some types of surgeries.

To learn more about ECMO, the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt University has an excellent explanation on their website of ECMO in the NICU.

Extremely Low Birth Weight (ELBW)

A baby born weighing less than 2 pounds, 3 ounces (1,000 grams). Also known as a "micropreemie." See also Very Low Birth Weight and Low Birth Weight.

Extubation

Removing the Endotracheal Tube (ET Tube) from the baby's windpipe.

Glossary: A–E | F–J | K–O | P–T | U–Z