Board Exam Flashcards
Reasons for high alpha-fetoprotein
RAIN: Renal (nephrosis, renal agenesis, polycystic kidney disease), Abdominal wal defects, Increased number of fetuses/Incorrect dates, Neuro (anencephaly and spina bifida)
Reasons for low alpha-fetoprotein
Trisomy 21 or Trisomy 18
What is a non-stress test and what does it measure?
Measures spontaneous fetal movements and heart rate; therefore, it measures fetal autonomic nervous system integrity
What is the contraction stress test and what does it measure?
Measures the fetal heart rate in response to uterine contraction; measures uteroplacental insufficiency and tolerance of labor
Most common cause of fetal bradycardia
Heart block, which may be seen with maternal lupus
When do you treat SVT in a fetus
With heart rates >240 bpm; treat with antiarrhythmic medication for the mother
What are the components of the biophysical profile?
Fetal movement, reactive heart rate, breathing, tone, volume of amniotic fluid
Causes of apnea in a neonate
APNEA: Abnormal metabolism (hypoglycemia, hypocalcermia, anemia, maternal medications); PDA and other cardiac causes; Neurological (seizures, intracranial hemorrhage, apnea of prematurity); Epidemiological/Infectious (sepsis, pertussis, RSV and other respiratory infections); Abnormal swallowing/GERD
Chest XR findings in RDS
Granular opacifications, air bronchograms, ground glass appearance. Typically symmetric appearance
One way to distinguish RDS from pneumonia secondary to GBS
Calculate the ratio of bands to total neutrophils; if greater than 0.2, sepsis or pneumonia is more likely. Also, temperature instability is a clue towards pneumonia
Interaction between bilirubin and RDS
When hyperbilirubinemia co-exists with RDS, the threshold for kernicterus is lowered
Factors that increase and decrease the risk of RDS
Increase: infants of diabetic mothers, c-section delivery, birth asphyxia; decrease: prolonged rupture of membranes, prenatally administered steroids
Changes expected after surfactant administration in RDS
Decreased oxygen requirement, reduced inspiratory pressure, improved lung compliance
Definition of chronic lung disease
Present in infants who still have an oxygen requirement 28 days after birth and/or continued oxygen requirement at 36 weeks corrected gestation
Typical CXR of BPD
Diffuse opacities as well as cystic areas with streaky infiltrates and ground glass appearance
How long should you monitor well appearing infants whose mothers had inadequately treated GBS?
48 hours
Drug of choice for treatment of proven GBS
Pencillin
Delayed detachment of the umbilical cord
Leukocyte adhesion deficiency or low WBC
Proper cord care
Wash with soap and water (Do not apply mercurochrome–can cause harm! and cases mercury)
What test should you do when you see a single umbilical artery?
Renal ultrasound
Should the obstetrician milk the cord?
No, it can lead to polycythemia
Physical findings in post-term babies
Dry skin that is peeling, long fingernails, and decreased lanugo on the back, the ears will have a strong recoil
Is bilateral ankle clonus normal in an infant?
Yes
CXR in meconium aspiration syndrome
Patchy areas of atelectasis alternating with areas of hyperinflation