Child Health - Neonatal Problems Flashcards
what is neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)?
withdrawal symptoms that happen in neonates of mothers that used substances in pregnancy
what substances can cause neonatal abstinence syndrome?
opiates methadone benzodiazepines cocaine amphetamines nicotine or cannabis alcohol SSRI antidepressants
when do symptoms of NAS start?
opiates, diazepam, SSRI and alcohol = between 3-72 hrs after birth
methadone and other benzos = 24 hrs and 21 days
CNS symptoms of NAS?
irritability increased tone high pitched cry not settling tremors seizures
vasomotor and resp symptoms of NAS?
yawning
sweating
unstable temp and pyrexia
tachypnoea
metabolic and GI symptoms of NAS?
poor feeding
regurgitation or vomiting
hypoglycaemia
loose stools and sore nappy area
how are babies with NAS monitored?
mothers known to use substances should have alert on notes so baby can have extra care after birth
babies kept in hospital with monitoring on a NAS chart for at least 3 days to monitor for withdrawal symptoms
urine sample can be taken from baby to test for substances
conservative measures for managing NAS?
keep neonate in quiet and dimly lit environment
gentle handling and comforting
breastfeeding can help by giving small amounts of the substance if present in breast milk
medical treatment of NAS?
oral morphine sulphate for opiate withdrawal
oral phenobarbitone for non-opiate withdrawal
SSRI withdrawal doesnt really benefit from medical treatment
what is hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE)?
result of prolonged hypoxia during birth which leads to ischaemic brain damage causing encephalopthy
can lead to permanent brain damage causing cerebral palsy or death in severe cases
what problems during perinatal or intrapartum period may cause you to suspect HIE?
acidosis (pH <7) on umbilical artery blood gas
poor apgar scores
multi organ failure
features of mild, mod or severe HIE after birth
what can cause HIE?
anything that can cause asphyxia
- maternal shock
- intrapartum haemorrhage
- prolapsed cord
- nuchal cord (cord wrapped around neck)
features of mild HIE (sarnat staging)?
poor feeding
general irritability and hyper-alertness
resolves after 24 hrs
normal prognosis
features of mod HIE?
poor feeding lethargic hypotonic seizures can take weeks to resolve up to 40% develop cerebral palsy
features of severe HIE?
reduced consciousness apnoeas flaccid and reduced/absent reflexes up to 50% mortality up to 90% develop cerebral palsy
how is HIE managed supportively?
neonatal resuscitation ongoing optimal ventilation circulatory support nutrition acid base balance treat seizures
what is therapeutic hypothermia used in HIE?
option in certain circumstances to help protect brain from hypoxic injury
used in babies near or at term
involves cooling core temp to 33-34 degrees for 72 hrs after which the baby is gradually warmed up to normal temp over 6 hrs
what is the intention of therapeutic hypothermia?
to reduce inflammation and neurone loss after acute hypoxic injury
reduces risk of cerebral palsy, developmental delay, learning disability, blindness and death
what is caput succedaneum?
collection of fluid under the scalp outside of the periosteum
what causes caput succedaneum?
caused by pressure to a specific area of the scalp during a traumatic, prolonged or instrumental delivery
what is the periosteum?
layer of dense connective tissue that lines the outside of the skull and does not cross the suture lines
presentation of caput succedaneum?
scalp swelling which crosses the suture lines (as fluid is on top of the periosteum)
usually no or only mild discoloration of the skin