Abbreviations

An arterial blood gas test measures the acidity and levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood from an artery. The test looks at how well lungs work.

Describes a foetus or baby whose size is within the normal range for his or her age or gestation.

A hole in the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart.

A condition that affects how someone interact with people and the world around them.

The pressure exerted by circulating blood upon the vessels of walls to blood vessels

Damage to lungs which sometimes occurs after ventilation or intensive oxygen therapy (see CLD)

An abnormally slow heart rate. When baby's heart rate drops below 100 beats per minute.

A count of the different types of cells present in blood. Red cells carry oxygen, white cells for fighting infection and platelets for prevention of bleeding.

An abnormality of the heart that occurs shortly after conception

Long-term respiratory (breathing) problems and dependence on oxygen following a long period of ventilation. Also known asbronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)

The gas produced by the body during metabolism, which is removed by breathing out.
 

Nervous system disorder, characterised by abnormal muscle tone (high tone) and movement.

A type of ventilation that delivers oxygen or air under pressure to baby through their nose though small tubes.

Resuscitation to re-establish breathing and heart rate.

A form of visual impairment that is caused by a brain problem rather than an eye problem.

A soft, long plastic tube called a catheter that is placed in a vein.

CVP measures the amount of blood returning to the heart and the ability of the heart to pump the blood into the arterial system.

A solution of a naturally occurring sugar in water given intravenously.

A solution of a naturally occurring sugar in water given intravenously.

Where the ball and socket of the hip do not develop properly.

A medical order not to resuscitate or revive a terminally ill baby.

Machine that records activity of the heart (also known as EKG)

Test to look at the heart using sound waves through the chest a bit like ultrasound during pregnancy

A machine that supports heart and lung function when other treatments do not work.

Machine that measures electrical activity in the brain.
 

Baby born weighing less than 1000g (2lbs).

A tube placed through either the baby's mouth or nose into the trachea (windpipe).

A set of physical and mental problems in a baby that occur as a result of a mother drinking alcohol whilst pregnant.

Breastmilk with special nutrients added to aid growth.

A type of ventilation that gently vibrates the baby's chest and gives hundreds of tiny breaths per minute to hold the (air sacs) alveoli in the lungs open.

Another name for Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

A form of ventilation where a set number of breaths is given per minute by the ventilator.

Babies born too small for their gestational age.

A tiny plastic tube or metal tube (straw-like) placed in a vein, through which fluids and nutrients are given.

Bleeding in and around the hollow parts (ventricles) of the brain.

Low Birth Weight baby 

Baby weighs less than 2,500 g (5.5 lbs)

A procedure where a sample of spinal fluid is obtained by placing a needle in the small of the back, between vertebrae (the back bones) to take some spinal fluid for testing.
 

Condition in which baby inhales meconium into the lungs.  If a baby inhales meconium into its lungs before delivery it can cause problems with breathing when born.
 

A computerised image used to view any part of the body not using X-ray but magnetism
 

No feeding/drinking through the mouth. Also known as NPO
from the Latin, nil per os, meaning nothing by mouth.

A serious condition, infection of the wall of the intestine causing bleeding into the gut, sepsis and occasionally perforation of the gut and peritonitis.

A feeding tube which goes from the baby's nose to the stomach.

A feeding tube going from the baby's mouth to stomach.

In the womb a baby has a small vessel which allows blood to bypass the lungs. This normally closes shortly after delivery. When this vessel does not close by itself either medication or surgery is needed.
 

The highest pressure that is delivered to the baby by the ventilator during a forced breath.

A genetic disorder in which the body cannot handle essential amino acids. All babies are tested for PKU.

Cystic areas in the brain.

Respiratory Distress Syndrome 

Breathing problem in premature babies caused by insufficient surfactant in the baby’s lungs making the lungs stiff.

Blood vessels and scar tissue that forms in the back of eye of preterm babies.

A type of ventilation where the ventilator breaths are timed to the baby's.

Nutrition given intravenously.

Temperature, Pulse and Respiration.

A short term breathing problem in newborn babies.

Tube inserted into baby's umbilicus (belly button) in the artery, used to give intravenous feeds and take blood samples and record blood pressure.

Tube inserted into baby's umbilicus (belly button) in the vein, used to give intravenous feeds and take blood samples and record blood pressure.

Baby born weighing less than 1500g (3lbs)