A Guiding Hand for Families in NICU and Special Care Nurseries - Digital - Book - Page 98
Glossary
own, in case they pass on their
contagious infections to the other
babies or need protecting because
they are more fragile.
IUGR: Intrauterine growth
restriction; see SGA.
IV: Intravenous, into the vein.
IVI: Intravenous infusion.
J
Jaundice: The yellow colour of
a baby’s skin caused by raised
bilirubin in the blood.
K
Kangaroo Care: When a parent
holds their baby skin to skin
in an upright position on the
parent’s chest. Kangaroo Care
breastfeeding, promotes stable
breathing and heartbeat for your
baby. Your baby stays warm with
this form of skin to skin contact.
L
Lactation: The body’s process of
making breast milk.
Lanugo: Soft and fuzzy foetal hair,
generally heavier on a baby’s back,
upper arms and shoulders, which
some premature babies are born
with - it is shed later.
M
Magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI): Like a CT scan, an MRI can
produce a very detailed picture that
may be difficult to see on an X-ray
or ultrasound. The MRI gives a more
detailed view than a CT scan, using
powerful magnets and computers
to create an image.
Meconium: Baby’s first bowel
movement which is usually dark
green and sticky.
N
Nasal cannula or nasal prongs:
Small plastic tubes that fit into your
baby’s nostrils and deliver oxygen.
Nasogastric tube (NG tube):
A very thin flexible tube that can
be passed through a nostril or by
the mouth to the stomach. Babies
can be either ‘tube fed’ or have the
contents of their stomach checked
by aspirating. Used for feeding
babies too young to feed by sucking
milk from the breast or the bottle.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC):
Inflammation of the gut wall
and lining that affects some
premature babies.
Neonatal newborn: Describing the
first 28 days of life (although many
babies are in the NICU for longer
than 28 days).
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation | Supporting Families of Premature & Sick Babies
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