Glossary of Common NICU Terms

A–E | F–J | K–O | P–T | U–Z

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K

Kangaroo Care
Skin-to-skin contact between parent and baby. During kangaroo care, the baby is placed on the parent's chest, dressed only in a diaper and sometimes a hat. The baby's head is turned to the side so the baby can hear the parent's heartbeat and feel the parent's warmth. Kangaroo care is effective, but it's limited to babies whose condition is not critical.
Click here for more detailed information on kangaroo care.

L

Lanugo
The fine, downy hair that often covers the shoulders, back, forehead, and cheeks of a prematurely born newborn. Lanugo is replaced by more normal appearing hair toward the end of gestation.
Large for Gestational Age (LGA)
A baby whose birth weight exceeds the normal range for the gestational age.
Lead Wires
Wires connecting the sensors on the baby's chest to the vital signs monitor.
Level
A marker of the level of infant care a NICU can provide, usually expressed as I, IIa/IIb, or IIIa/IIIb/IIIc. Click here for an explanation of the different levels.
Low Birth Weight (LBW)
A baby born weighing less than 5 1/2 pounds (2,500 grams) and more than 3 pounds, 5 ounces (1,500 grams) — see Very Low Birth Weight.
Lumbar Puncture (LP)
Also known as a "spinal tap," this test involves inserting a hollow needle in between the vertebrae of the lower back to collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid.

M

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Imaging technique that uses powerful magnets and computers to produce a detailed picture of tissue.
Meconium
A dark green, sticky mucus, a mixture of amniotic fluid and secretions from the intestinal glands, normally found in infants' intestines. It is the first stool passed by the newborn. Passage of meconium within the uterus before birth can be a sign of fetal distress. The meconium is very irritating to the lungs.
Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS)
Respiratory disease caused when babies inhale meconium or meconium-stained amniotic fluid into their lungs; characterized by mild to severe respiratory distress.
Monitor
Machine that displays and often records the heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen saturation of the baby. An alarm may sound if one or a number of these vital signs are abnormal. For example, in a normal infant the heart rate is usually between 120 and 180 beats per minute and oxygen saturation should be above 90%. False alarms are common, as abrupt movements can cause the monitor to register inaccurate readings — a good general rule of thumb is "Look at the baby, not the monitor."
Moro Reflex
A newborn reflex. The automatic response to loud noises or sudden movements in which a newborn will extend his arms and legs, arch his back, and sometimes cry out. Newborns can have this reaction even during sleep, but lose it after a few months.
Motor Skills
Gross motor skills are the movements that use the large muscles in the arms, legs, and torso, such as running and jumping. Fine motor skills are the small muscle movements used to grasp and manipulate objects, like picking up a Cheerio or using a crayon.
Multidisciplinary
Many different areas of expertise or specialization coming together to provide comprehensive care. Examples include medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work, physical therapy and respiratory therapy.

N

Nasal Cannula
Light, flexible tube used to give supplemental oxygen to a child. Oxygen flows through two prongs extending into the nostrils.
Nasogastric Tube (NG Tube)
Narrow, flexible tube inserted through the nostril, down the esophagus, and into the stomach. It is used to give food or to remove air or fluid from the stomach.
Nebulizer Treatment
A nebulizer humidifies air and/or oxygen that is passed to the infant. At home, a nebulizer is a way of delivering medication — it transforms medicine into droplet form for inhalation. Used for a variety of lung problems.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)
Swelling, tenderness and redness of the intestine caused by an infection or decreased blood supply to the intestine. The seriousness of NEC varies: it may injure or destroy parts of the bowel, or it may affect only the innermost lining or the entire thickness of the bowel.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
A special care nursery for preemies and newborn infants with severe medical complications. They are cared for by neonatologists and nurses with specialty training.
Neonate
A term used to describe an infant during the first 30 days of life.
Neonatologist
A pediatrician who has received 4-6 years of training after medical school in preparation for treating premature or sick newborns. This is the person who usually directs your baby's care if hospitalization in an NICU is required.
NPO
An abbreviation for a Latin term that means "nothing by mouth" — i.e., no food or water.

O

Omphalocele
A birth defect in which the intestines (and sometimes other abdominal organs such as the liver) come through an opening in the navel. For more in-depth information, visit the website of the Children's Hospital of Philadephia.®
Osteopenia of Prematurity (OOP)
A decrease in the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the bones. This can cause bones to be weak and brittle, and increases the risk for broken bones. Most preemies born before 30 weeks have some degree of OOP, but won't have any physical symptoms.
Causes: during the last trimester, calcium and phosphorus are transferred from the mother to the baby so that the baby's bones will grow, so preemies may not received enough to form strong bones. Also, the baby's activity increases in those last 3 months, and that activity is thought to help bone development.
OOP is usually diagnosed with ultrasound, x-rays, and blood tests to check the levels of calcium, phosphorus, and a protein called alkaline phosphatase. It is most commonly treated with calcium and phosphorus supplements added to breast milk or IV fluids, special premature formulas when breast milk is not available, and Vitamin D supplements.
Oximeter (Pulse Oximeter)
Machine monitoring the amount of oxygen in the blood. A tape-like cuff is wrapped around the baby's toe, foot, hand or finger. This machine allows the NICU staff to monitor the amount of oxygen in the baby's blood without having to obtain blood for laboratory testing.
Oxygen Hood
A clear plastic box that fits over a baby's head and supplies him or her with oxygen. This is used for babies who can breathe on their own, but still need some extra oxygen.

Glossary: A–E | F–J | K–O | P–T | U–Z