Healthy Term Infants Flashcards
After what point is an infant considered term?
After 37 weeks of completed gestation
When is an infant classified as being post-term?
After 41 weeks of completed gestation
What is the normal weight of a term infant?
Between 2.5-4kg
What would a birth weight of < 2.5kg be classed as?
Small for gestational age (SGA)
What would a birth weight of > 4kg be classed as?
Large for gestational age (LGA)
How much weight does a foetus gain in the third trimester?
Daily weight gain of 24g
About 7g of fat gained per day in the last 4 weeks
What materials are exchanged by transplacental transfer in the third trimester?
Iron, vitamins, calcium, phosphate, antibodies
How does term delivery usually take place?
Spontaneous or induced labour
Vaginal delivery or C-section
Cephalic (vertex) or breech position (or other)
What is the normal labour environment like?
Hypoxic during contractions
Placental insufficiency
Growth restriction or excess
What does foetal Hb help with during labour?
Release of oxygen
What does prolonged labour cause?
It reduced foetal reserves
What do increased cortisol and adrenaline levels during labour do?
Enhances adaptation of baby to new environment
What are the steps in perinatal adaptation?
First breath/cry, alveolar expansion, change from foetal to newborn circulation, decreased pulmonary arterial pressure, increased Pao2
What should be done immediately once a baby has been delivered?
Early/immediate skin to skin contact and suckling
What is the Apgar score?
Objective measure of perinatal adaptation = score out of ten (score of 0-2 in each category)
What are the components that make up the Apgar score?
Heart rate, respiratory rate, responsiveness, tone, colour
What is considered a normal Apgar score?
> = 8