Module 4: Austin Flashcards
SGA
infant is below the 10th percentile on a standard growth chart
IUGR
refers to the deviation and reduction in expected fetal growth pattern
here are two types of IUGR:
symmetrical and asymmetrical
symmetrical
- the type of growth restriction occurs early in pregnancy and is associated with a decreased number of fetal cells
- inadequate growth of the head, body and extremities
- infants are born with fewer brain cells and tend to have poorer outcomes
- etiologies include genetic or chromosomal causes, early gestational intrauterine infections (TORCH) and maternal alcohol use
asymmetrical
- usually occurs early in the third trimester and is associated with impaired growth of the body, with normal growth of the head and extremities
- is the result of failure of the cells to increase in size resulting in less fat and smaller abdominal organs
- due to extrinsic influences that affect the fetus later in gestation, such as preeclampsia, chronic hypertension, and uterine anomalies
Causes of Intrauterine Growth Restriction.
asymmetric
Placental insufficiency Pre-eclampsia Hypertension Renal disease Long-standing diabetes Smoking Altitude Multiple pregnancy
Causes of Intrauterine Growth Restriction.
symmetric
Congenital infections Chromosomal abnormalities Skeletal abnormalities Fetal alcohol syndrome Constitutional short stature Low socio-economic status
Steps in Resuscitation of the Infant with Perinatal Asphyxia.
A – airway B – breathing C – circulation D – drugs E – environment F – family
Assessment, clear Airway, Apgar score
ensure Breathing, positive pressure until HR > 100/min support Circulation if HR < 100/min, Cardiac massage HR < 60/min - give Drugs - epinephrine
Environment – keep warm
keep Family informed of progress and prognosis
Using the growth chart provided, plot Austin’s percentiles for his weight.
Weight 900 grams — below 10th percentile
Using the growth chart provided, plot Austin’s percentiles for his length.
Length 40 cm — below 50th percentile (approximately 30th percentile)
Using the growth chart provided, plot Austin’s percentiles for his head circumference.
Head circumference 29 cm — 50th percentile
What type of SGA infant is Austin?
Austin is an asymmetrical IUGR baby.
This means that while his body, particularly in terms of weight, is underdeveloped, his head is not. This combination suggests that the antenatal problems causing Austin’s decreased growth were not severe enough to affect brain growth. This is good news for Austin.
What are some problems that Austin is at risk for by being IUGR/SGA?
Austin is at risk for:
hypoxia – due to placenta insufficiency
hypothermia – due to small size and reduced brown fat stores
hypoglycemia – reduced hepatic glycogen stores
polycythemia – due to increased erythropoiesis
Based on what you know about fetal growth and development, and specifically the vulnerability associated with prematurity and SGA, suggest a plan for assessing Austin. What will you plan to assess and monitor (pulmonary, cardio, neuro, GI, renal, immune, and metabolic systems)?
At 31 weeks gestation, all of the organ systems are anatomically well developed. However, physiologically, their functional abilities are quite immature. This means that all of Austin’s organ systems are vulnerable and at risk for problems, and, because of this, require close monitoring. This is an overview of the assessment and monitoring Austin requires:
pulmonary, cardio, neuro, GI, renal, immune and metabolic system
pulmonary
- assess RR and HR by monitor and auscultation
- assess air entry, indrawing, color, perfusion
- monitor blood gases
- pulse oximetry
cardiovascular
- assess HR by monitor and auscultation
- assess for murmurs
- assess perfusion, blood pressure, pulses, color
neurologic
-assess tone, movement, state, fontanelle, level of alertness
gastrointestinal
-assess stools, bowel sounds, abdominal girth, abdominal tenderness
renal
-assess urine output, weight, tissue turgor, serum electrolytes
immune
- observe for infection/sepsis
- monitor temperature, vital signs, CBC
metabolic
- assess temperature
- assess serum glucose
Apnea
Apnea is defined as a as cessation of breathing that lasts for more than 20 seconds and/or is accompanied by hypoxia (↓ O2 sats) or bradycardia (↓ HR) (Walsh, 2010).
Apnea in infants differs from that of adults in that infants respond to hypoxemia with only a brief increase in respiratory rate followed by hypoventilation or apnea.
There are two types of apnea:
primary apnea – is apnea that is not associated with any other diseases (eg: Apnea of Prematurity)
secondary apnea – may be associated with a particular disease or in response to a procedure
When referring to apnea in the context of neonatal resuscitation, primary apnea responds to the initial steps of NRP, whereas secondary apnea does not respond to stimulation, drying or suctioning and requires initiation of IPPV.
Note that in Canada two differing practices occur than what is stated in the article:
When doing bag and mask ventilation on an infant who is experiencing apnea, your oxygen concentration to start should be approximately 10% higher than what the infant is already receiving (e.g., if they are on room air, 21%, then you should give them approximately 30% oxygen to start and titrate up if needed).
Caffeine citrate is the drug of choice to treat apneas.