- Home
- What is RSV?
- Reducing your baby's risk of RSV infection
- Infections and your baby
- Journey of the Premature Baby
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Is your baby of Inuit background?
- Did you know?
Glossary
adjusted age (or corrected age): the age a premature baby would be if she or he had been born on her or his due date.
air sacs: small structures in the lungs where oxygen is delivered to the blood and carbon dioxide is removed.
anemia: abnormally low concentrations of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood.
antibodies: protein substances in the blood which attack any foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses.
aorta: the main artery leaving the heart.
apgar score: an evaluation of a newborn based on five criteria: heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, response to stimulation and skin colour. Each criteria is scored 0-2, for a best possible score of 10.
apnea: a pause in breathing that lasts 20 seconds or longer.
asphyxia: decreased oxygen in the body, accompanied by rising carbon dioxide levels. This condition can cause serious injury to organ systems and even death if not rapidly corrected.
audiologist: a medical professional who diagnoses and treats hearing problems.
bagging: a type of respiratory support in which a bag attached to a mask that covers the baby’s nose and mouth is used to pump air and/or oxygen into the baby’s lungs.
bililights (phototherapy): special light treatment for babies with jaundice in which the affected infant is placed under special fluorescent lights that break down the bilirubin so it can be eliminated from the body.
bilirubin: a breakdown product of red blood cells. Excessive amounts may cause yellow skin, or jaundice.
blood gas analysis: a blood test to determine the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acidity in the blood.
blood pressure: the pressure the blood exerts against the walls of the blood vessels. This pressure allows the blood to flow through the vessels.
blood sugar: the concentration of glucose in the blood.
blood transfusion: administration of blood from a healthy donor to a patient.
bonding: the process in which parent and child become emotionally attached.
bradycardia: a slower-than-normal heart rate for an infant.
brain bleed (intraventricular hemorrhage): abnormal bleeding into the chambers and possibly the surrounding tissue of the brain.
bronchiolitis: inflammation of the small airways in the lungs.
bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD): chronic breathing problems arising from lung tissue damage due to artificial ventilation of the lungs. Children who require respirator support and/or supplemental oxygen for more than 28 days are diagnosed with this condition. Also known as chronic lung disease (CLD).
cannula: narrow, flexible tube with prongs used to deliver oxygen into the baby’s nose.
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): a method of reviving an infant whose breathing and heartbeat have stopped or slowed abnormally.
catheter: a narrow, flexible tube used to either administer fluids to the body or to drain fluids from the body.
chronic lung disease (CLD): chronic breathing problems arising from lung tissue damage due to artificial ventilation of the lungs. Children who require respirator support and/or supplemental oxygen for more than 28 days are diagnosed with this condition. Also known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
congenital: present at and existing from the time of birth.
colostomy: an opening in the abdominal wall (surgically-created) that permits the colon (the lower section of the large intestines) to empty directly into a waste bag outside the body.
colostrum: the thin, yellowish fluid secreted from the breasts before the mother’s milk comes in. This fluid is rich in antibodies, which provide protection against infection to the newborn.
contagious: ability to transmit infection from one person to another.
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP): a respiratory support method that delivers a constant flow of air into the baby’s lungs to keep the air sacs open after each breath.
corrected age: the age a premature baby would be if he or she had been born on his or her due date.
developmental milestones: important points in a baby’s development, such as crawling, walking and talking.
developmental problems: failure to meet expected capabilities associated with age. May include gross and fine motor coordination (such as rolling over, sitting or picking up small objects with thumb and finger), social, communication, and learning disabilities.
diabetes: disorder of sugar control.
early intervention: programs and services for children with developmental delays.
echocardiogram: the use of ultrasound to evaluate the structure and function of the heart and great vessels.
electrocardiogram (EKG): a graphic recording of the electrical activity of the heart.
electroencephalogram (EEG): a graphic recording of the electrical activity of the brain.
endotracheal tube (ETT): a small tube placed into the trachea (windpipe) to allow air and/or oxygen to flow into the lungs, bypassing the nose.
fellow: a doctor, and often a specialist, who takes continuous education, to be more up-to-date in his field of specialty.
fever: a rise in body temperature.
fetal lung fluid: fluid made in the lungs before birth.
fontanelle: the soft spots between the bones of the skull of a newborn.
full-term: born between the 37th and 42nd week of pregnancy.
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): the flow of stomach contents up into the esophagus (swallowing tube), occasionally resulting in vomiting.
gavage feeding (nasogastric tube): a narrow, flexible tube that is inserted through the nostrils, down the esophagus, and into the stomach, used to deliver nourishment to or to remove air or fluid from the stomach.
gestation: the time spent in the womb between conception and delivery. Average gestation in humans is 39 weeks.
gestational age: the number of weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period and the date of birth.
glucose: a simple sugar that supplies the body with energy.
gram-negative organisms: a type of bacteria that may cause infection after entering a baby’s body through a respirator tube or during the process of delivery.
Group B Strep Infections (GBS): a type of bacterial infection that babies may get from the mother during the birthing process.
high-risk: a term used to describe persons or situations that require special attention and/or intervention to prevent a problem from worsening.
hyaline membrane disease (respiratory distress syndrome): a breathing disorder of immature lungs caused by the lack of surfactant.
hydrocephalus: an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the chambers of the brain, characterized by an abnormal increase in head size and a progressive loss of brain tissue.
hyperbilirubinemia (jaundice): a yellow colouration of the skin caused by an elevation of bilirubin in the blood.
hypertension: high blood pressure.
hypertonia: increased muscle tone.
hypotonia: decreased muscle tone.
hypoxia: a lack of sufficient oxygen in the body.
ileostomy: a surgically-created opening in the abdominal wall that allows for a diversion of the intestine to drain stool into a waste receptacle bag. This procedure may be necessary with problems such as intestinal obstruction or necrotizing enterocolitis.
immunization: administration of a vaccine to induce the production of antibodies to protect against infection.
incubator: cot for keeping premature babies in controlled conditions and protecting them from infection.
inflammation: the body’s response to injury; it may include pain, heat, redness and swelling.
infusion pump: a device attached to an intravenous line that carefully regulates the amount of fluid going into the baby’s bloodstream.
intracranial hemorrhage: see “intraventricular hemorrhage”.
intravenous (IV): delivery of fluids, nutrition and/or medication directly into a vein.
intraventricular hemorrhage (intracranial hemorrhage or brain bleed): abnormal bleeding into the chambers and possibly the surrounding tissue of the brain.
intubation: the insertion of a tube into the trachea (windpipe) through the nose or mouth to assist with breathing.
jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia): a yellow colouration of the skin caused by an elevation of bilirubin in the blood.
kangaroo care: a technique of placing babies on their parent’s chest to enable skin-to-skin contact.
lactation consultant: a healthcare professional knowledgeable in the practical tips and process of breastfeeding.
lanugo: fine, soft, lightly-coloured hair covering the body of a fetus and some preemies.
level 1, 2, 3: levels of neonatal care in the hospital include Level 1 (normal baby nursery), Level 2 (somewhat more intensive care) and Level 3 (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or NICU).
lower esophageal sphincter: the muscle at the junction of the esophagus and stomach. It is normally closed except during swallowing, vomiting, and burping.
lumbar puncture (spinal tap): a diagnostic procedure in which spinal fluid is withdrawn with a needle, inserted between two lumbar vertebrae into the area containing spinal fluid.
meconium: dark green fecal material in an infant’s first bowel movement, passed at or near delivery.
monitor: a machine that records information such as heart beat, body temperature, respiration rate, and blood pressure.
nasogastric tube (NG tube): a narrow, flexible tube that is inserted through the nostrils, down the esophagus, and into the stomach, used to deliver nourishment to or to remove air or fluid from the stomach.
nebulizer treatment: a method of delivering medication by transforming medicine into droplets which are drawn into the lungs while breathing.
necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC): a disease of the intestinal tract, caused by inflammation of the intestinal tract or decreased blood supply to the bowel. This complication in premature babies generally improves, but can lead to rupture of the bowel, infection, or death.
neonatal intensive care unit (NICU): a special section of a hospital (usually a large regional hospital) that provides intensive care for newborn babies.
neonatal period: the first 28 days of life.
neonatologist: a physician who specializes in the medical care and development of premature infants and sick newborns.
neurologist: a physician specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the nervous system.
nitric oxide: gas delivered into the lungs to improve oxygenation in extremely sick babies.
non-invasive: of a procedure that does not require injection, incision, or insertion into a body orifice.
nosocomial infections: hospital-acquired infectious diseases.
occupational therapist: a medical professional who specializes in helping with developmental tasks involving the use of the arms, hands, mouth and tongue.
ophthalmologist: a medical doctor who can diagnose and treat injuries or defects of the eyes, including prescribing glasses and medications, and performing surgery.
orogastric tube (OG tube): a narrow, flexible tube that is inserted through the mouth, down the esophagus, and into the stomach, used to deliver nourishment or to remove air or fluid from the stomach.
ototoxic antibiotics: drugs used to fight infections that have the potential to cause hearing problems.
oxygen hood: a plastic box placed over the head to allow accurate control of oxygen.
oxygen therapy: any method of delivering supplemental oxygen to the infant.
parenteral nutrition (hyperalimentation): delivering nutrition directly into a baby’s bloodstream, providing necessary nutrients such as carbohydrates, electrolytes, protein, minerals, vitamins, and fat without using the digestive tract.
patent ductus arteriosus (PDA): a condition in which the blood vessel that connects the aorta (the main artery of the body) and the pulmonary artery (the artery that brings blood to the lungs) does not close as it should shortly after birth.
perc lines (also known as PICC lines): catheters inserted through the skin into a vein (percs) are used to deliver parenteral nutrition to a baby.
perforated bowel: a hole in the intestine.
perinatal period: the time immediately preceding, during, and after birth, typically from the 28th week of gestation through 7 days following delivery.
phototherapy (bililights): special light treatment for babies with jaundice in which the affected infant is placed under special fluorescent lights that break down the bilirubin so it can be eliminated from the body.
physical therapists: medical professionals who work with preemies to help with their neuromuscular development. They are also often involved in followup developmental care.
pneumonia: an infection of the lungs leading to breathing difficulty, coughing, chest pain and fever.
premature: A baby born less than 37 weeks gestation (after conception) is considered premature. Babies born with a birth weight of less than (<) 1000 grams are considered to have an extremely low birth weight, (ELBW). Babies who weigh between 1000 grams and <1500 grams are considered to be very low birth weight (VLBW). Babies born between 1500 grams and less than 2500 grams are considered to be low birth weight (LBW).
primary-care neonatal nurses: medical professionals who have training and experience with the special needs of premature babies and are responsible for the continuous daily care of your baby.
prognosis: a forecast of the probable course and end of a disease.
pulmonary artery: the artery that carries blood from the heart to the lungs.
radiant warmer: a heat source for an open bed that warms the infant.
red blood cells: the cells in the blood that carry oxygen.
resident: a doctor who has finished her or his medical studies and who practices two years, sometimes more, to become specialized in a branch of medicine.
respirator (ventilator): a machine that helps breathing by supplying and regulating a flow of air, oxygen, and air pressure introduced through a tube that passed through the nose or mouth, down the back of the throat, and into the trachea (windpipe).
respiratory distress syndrome (RDS): a breathing disorder of immature lungs caused by the lack of surfactant.
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease: a respiratory infection caused by a virus that is very common and can have serious implications in babies born prematurely, with or without BPD, and infants with congenital heart disease.
respiratory therapist: a medical professional trained in the use of respiratory equipment.
retinopathy of prematurity (ROP): a disease of the retina of the eye found primarily in premature infants.
sepsis: the presence of bacteria and/or their toxins in the bloodstream.
septic shock: a decrease in heart or breathing rate and blood pressure due to an infection throughout the body, due to a decrease in the function of the heart and other major organs.
shunt: a surgically inserted passage between two areas of the body, such as the ventriculoperitoneal shunt that drains fluid from the brain ventricles into the abdominal cavity of a child with hydrocephalus.
sonogram (ultrasound): a non-invasive diagnostic technique that produces images of organs by use of high-frequency sound waves.
special care baby unit (SCBU): an alternative name for a neonatal unit.
spinal tap (lumbar puncture): a procedure in which fluid from the spine is withdrawn with a needle inserted in a space between two bones of the lower spinal column.
stiffness: very tight muscles.
subarachnoid hemorrhage: bleeding in the area around the outside of the brain.
surfactant: a substance formed in the lungs that helps keep the small air sacs expanded and prevents them from collapsing.
synthetic surfactant: a liquid administered directly into the lungs to correct a deficiency of natural surfactant, thereby avoiding significant respiratory problems.
trach tube: a flexible tube that is surgically inserted into the trachea (windpipe) to help an infant breathe.
transfusion: administration of blood or blood products from a donor to a recipient.
transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTNB): rapid breathing that gradually improves in the first few hours or days after birth.
trophic feedings: feed given just a few drops a day to a premature infant until she or he is stable enough for a full feeding schedule. This helps the bowel to mature and produce enzymes (substances that help with digestion of food) for later feedings.
ultrasound (sonogram): a non-invasive diagnostic technique that produces images of organs by use of high-frequency sound waves.
umbilical catheter: a narrow, flexible tube inserted through a blood vessel in the infant’s umbilical cord.
ventilator (respirator): a machine that helps breathing by supplying and regulating a flow of air, oxygen, and air pressure introduced through a tube threaded through the nose or mouth, down the back of the throat, and into the trachea (windpipe).
X-ray: a technique that uses radiation to take pictures of internal body structures.