Term
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Definition
| A slippery, detergent-like lipoprotein which causes a decreased surface tension within the alveioli to allow for alveolar re-expansion after each exhalation. Usually produced sufficiently by fetus by 34-36 weeks gestation. |
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Term
| Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) |
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Definition
| A developmental disorder of the respiratory system that begins at birth or very soon afterwards, usually in infants with premature lungs. Characterized by lack of surfactant, progressive atelectasis, loss of functional residual capacity, alterations in the ventilation/perfusion ratio, and poor lung compliance. |
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Term
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Definition
| Bluish coloration of hands and feet that may persist for up to 24 hours until peripheral circulation improves. |
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Term
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Definition
| Pattern of breathing that may include brief pauses that last up to 10-15 seconds. |
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Term
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Definition
| Cessation of breathing that lasts for more than 20 seconds. |
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Term
| Nonshivering Thermogenesis (NST) |
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Definition
| Chemical heat production. Utilizes stores of brown fat to provide heat in a cold-stress environment. |
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Term
| Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT) |
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Definition
| Brown fat. Unique, highly vascular fat found only in newborns; can be rapidly metabolized if needed. |
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Term
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Definition
| The loss of heat that occurs when water is converted into vapor. Can occur if newborn is not adequately dried after birth. Also called Insensible Water Loss (IWL). |
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Term
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Definition
| Loss of heat to a cooler surface via direct skin contact such as a cold scale or mattress. |
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Term
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Definition
| Loss of heat from warm body surface to cooler air currents. No ceiling fans, place infant away from doors and windows. |
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Term
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Definition
| Heat loss that occurs when there is a transfer of heat between objects that are not in direct contact with the newborn such as the walls of nursery or incubator. |
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Term
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Definition
| Elevated core body temperature. Often caused by maternal fever, infection, CNS impairment, dehydration, and medications. |
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Term
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Definition
| An abnormally high erythrocyte count. Places the infant at high risk for jaundice and organ damage due to the increased viscosity of the blood. |
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Term
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Definition
| The breakdown of glycogen into the more usable form of glucose wihtin the body tissues. Can occur if the newborn does not receive any exogenous glucose before the intitial hepatic and skeletal glyogen stores have been depleted. |
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Term
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Definition
| A condition characterized by a yellow (icteric) coloration of the skin, sclera, and oral mucous membranes. Results from the accumulation of bile pigments associated wtih an excessive amount of bilirubin in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia). |
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Term
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Definition
| The water-soluble bilirubin which is excreted into the common duct and duodenum. |
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Term
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Definition
| A life-threatening condition caused by the deposition of unconjugated bilirubin in the brain and spinal cord. |
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Term
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Definition
| Occurs within the first 24 hours of life. results from disorders that cause excessive hemolysis of erythrocytes leading to increased production of bilirubin. |
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Term
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Definition
| Characterized by bili levels that initially decline, and then increase during the 2nd and 3rd week of life. Results from a factor in human milk that increases the intestinal absorption of bilirubin. Usually, no intervention is necessary; will resolve spontaneously. |
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Term
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Definition
| Prompted by the pregnant woman's exposure to illness and immunizations. |
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Term
| Passive Acquired Immunity |
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Definition
| Received through the passage of IgG immunoglobulins through the placenta. |
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