A Guiding Hand for Families in NICU and Special Care Nurseries - Digital - Book - Page 102
Glossary
vessels of the eye. It happens in
many premature infants because
the blood vessels are not finished
developing at the time of a
premature infant’s birth. Instead,
the vessels finish developing outside
of the protected environment of the
womb.
Room air: The air, containing 21%
oxygen, that we normally breathe.
Rooming-in: The time when you stay
overnight at the hospital and have
total care of your baby just prior to
coming home.
S
SCN: Special Care Nursery which
provides care for newborns usually
above 32 weeks gestation and
above 1500g with medical issues
that are expected to resolve quickly.
Sedation: A drug used to quieten
a baby down, promoting less
movement and a placid state of
being. This is sometimes done to
babies who are being ventilated so
they don’t fight the ventilator and
become more stressed.
Sepsis: Infection of the blood.
Septicaemia: An infection in the
bloodstream affecting the whole
body.
Shunt: A passage made artificially,
between two areas of the body,
usually placed to drain liquid.
Small for gestation age (SGA):
Also known as small for dates.
Babies born weighing much less
than other babies of the same
gestation at birth.
Social worker: A professional
specially trained to help parents ‘in
coping with the emotional aspects
of their baby’s NICU stay. The social
worker can help you obtain the
information you need from your
baby’s doctors, provide you with
sources of information on your
baby’s medical problems, help
you deal with financial difficulties
and stress and help you make any
special arrangements you may
need for your baby’s discharge and
follow-up care.
Speech and language pathologist:
A health professional trained in
speech and language problems.
They often work in NICUs to help
assist babies with feeding problems.
Squint or strabismus: A condition
in which the eye muscles can’t
hold both eyes to look in the same
direction. This gives a cross-eyed
look which is more noticeable when
the person is tired.
Sterile: Free from contamination by
living microbes (bugs).
Steroids: (1) A large group of
chemically related compounds of
diverse origins and functions. Those
related to cortisol from the adrenal
gland can help to mature the lungs
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation | Supporting Families of Premature & Sick Babies
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