A Guiding Hand for Families in NICU and Special Care Nurseries - Digital - Book - Page 103
Glossary
of a foetus before birth. (2) Used to
reduce lung swelling in BPD.
Stimulation: (1) Developmental
encouragement given to the
baby, either by talking, singing,
reading or having things to look
at. (2) Physical encouragement
to continue breathing, such as
tickling or a gentle prod when an
apnoea occurs.
Suction: Aspiration of gas or
fluid, usually from the lungs by
mechanical means.
Supine: Describes the position of the
baby when lying on his back.
Surfactant: Compounds that line
the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs
reducing surface tension and
thereby preventing lung collapse on
breathing out (expiration). Artificial
or synthetic surfactant is now
available for those infants who have
difficulty producing their own shortly
after birth. It is given to babies
through the ventilator. Surfactants
have names like Curosurf or
Survanta.
Syringe: An apparatus for
injecting into or withdrawing fluids
from the body.
T
Tachycardia: Rapid heart rate,
above 170 beats per minute.
Tachypnoea: Rapid breathing rate,
over 60 breaths per minute.
Baby in ‘supine’ position
Technicians: Staff members who
perform specific procedures such as
drawing blood or taking X-rays.
Thermometer: An instrument that
measures body temperature.
Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN):
A form of nutritional support made
up of a mixture of sugar, minerals,
vitamins and proteins and given via
a drip (IV).
Transient tachypnea of the
newborn (TTN): A term used when
a baby breathes with quick, shallow
breaths (usually over 80 breaths per
minute). It is often caused by fluid
in the lungs and improves as this
fluid is absorbed. Some babies will
need oxygen as this resolves. TTN
is often associated with caesarean
deliveries.
Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome
(TTTS): A complication in which
identical twins in the womb share
not only the same placenta but also
placental blood vessels, causing
excessive blood flow in one foetus
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation | Supporting Families of Premature & Sick Babies
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