Neonataology Flashcards
When does the CVS start to develop?
End of third week
When does the heart start beating?
End of fourth week
What is the critical period for development of the heart?
20 to 50th day after fertilisation
What is the ductus venosus?
Vein that comes off of the umbilical vein that shunts a portion of oxygenated blood coming from the placenta directly into the IVC (bypassing the liver)
What is the foramen ovale?
Shunt between the R and L atrium - allowing blood to bypass the pulmonary circulation
What is the patent ductus arteriosus?
Connects pulmonary artery to the descending aorta - allowing blood to bypass the pulmonary circulation
What is normal SaO2 in foetal body?
60-70%
What are the functions of the ductus arteriosus?
Protects lungs against circulatory overload
Allows the R ventricle to strengthen
Carries low oxygen saturated blood
How is blood flow regulated in the ductus venosus? What kind of blood is mostly carried in the ductus venosus?
Oxygenated blood regulated via sphincters
What do the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus become after birth?
Ligamentum arteriosum and fossa ovalis
What is the normal BP of a 1h old?
70/44
What is the normal BP of a 1 day old?
70+/-9/42+/-12
What is the normal BP of a 3 day old?
77+/-12/49+/-10
What is the normal RR of a newborn?
30-60m
Periodical breathing
What is the normal HR of a newborn?
120-160bmp
Tachycardia is over 160
Bradycardia is <100
Why are newborns purely reliant on metabolic production of heat?
Inability to shiver
What does cold stress lead to in babies?
Lipolysis and heat production
Brown fat well innervated by sympathetic neurons
Define radiation of heat
Heat dissipated to colder objects
Define convection of heat
Heat loss by moving air
Why is evaporation of heat important in newborns?
We are born in water
What is conduction?
Heat loss to the surface on which the baby lies
A newborn does not pass urine for 24 hours - what does this mean?
It is normal
Weight loss of up to what is normal in the newborn? What is the weight loss due to?
10%
Due to shift of interstitial fluid to intravascular
Diuresis
When does physiological jaundice occur?
Day 2-3 of life
Disappears within 7-10 days of life in term infants (up to 21 in prem babies)
Where does most bilirubin come from?
Metabolism of Hb
Where is bilirubin conjugated?
Liver
What is the most serious complication of jaundice?
Kernicterus
What type of bilirubin is able to cross the BBB to cause kernicterus?
Unconjugated
How does fluid balance differ in neonates compared with adults?
Neonates have less body fat, increased loss of fluids via kidney (slower GFR, reduce Na absorption, decreased ability to concentrate or dilute urine)
Increased insensible water loss (via immature skin and breathing)
Define IUGR
<10th centile
Severe IUGR - <0.4th centile
What are the groups of causes for small for dates baby?
Maternal
Foetal
Placental
Other
Give an example of a maternal causes of small for dates babies
Maternal pre-eclamptic toxaemia (PET)
Smoking
Give two examples of a foetal cause of small for dates babies
Chromosomal syndromes, e.g. Edwards syndrome
Foetal infection, e.g. CMV
Give an example of a placental cause of small for dates babies
Placental abruption
Give an example of another cause for small for dates babies
Twin pregnancy
What are the common problems small for dates babies face?
Perinatal hypoxia Hypoglycaemia Hypothermia Polycythaemia Thrombocytopenia GI problems (e.g. feeds) Infection
What are some long term problems associated with small for dates babies?
HTN, reduced growth, obesity, ischaemia heart disease
Define pre-term baby
<37w
Define extremely pre-term baby
<28w
Define low birth weight
<2.5kg
Define v. low birth weight
<1.5kg
Define extremely low birth weight
<1kg
Which systems are affected by prematurity?
All of them
What respiratory issue are premature babies more at risk of?
IRDS
How do you prevent IRDS?
Antenatal steroids
How do you treat IRDS?
Surfactant
Early extubation and non-invasive CPAP
Minimal ventilation
What minor respiratory problems are very common in premature babies?
Apnoea, irregular breathing, desaturations
How do we treat the minor respiratory problems in premature babies?
Caffeine
N-CPAP
What brain issue are premature babies more at risk of?
Intraventricular haemorrhage
How can you reduce the risk of intraventricular haemorrhage in premature babies?
Antenatal steroids
Delayed cord clamping
How do you treat intraventricular haemorrhage?
Sympthomatic
Drainage?
Why is intraventricular haemorrhage more common in premature babies?
Unsupported BVs in the ependymal germinal matrix and unstable BP assoc. with birth trauma and respiratory distress
What are signs of an intraventricular haemorrhage?
Seizures
Bulging fontanelle
What is the best investigation for intraventricular haemorrhage?
USS
What is peri-ventricular leukomalacia?
Necrosis of white matter in later ventricles
What is the role of the ductus arteriosus in utero?
It is a diversion for blood from the pulmonary trunk to the foetal aorta to avoid passage through the lungs
Describe the pathophysiology of PDA
Pressure in the aorta is greater than that in the pulmonary artery and so there is a L to R shunt
This means there is additional blood going to the pulmonary circulation –> over-perfusion of the lungs and lung oedema & stealing from the systemic circulation –> systemic ischaemia
What are the consequences of PDA?
Worsening of respiratory symptoms
Retention of fluids (low renal perfusion)
GI problems (e.g. GE ischaemia)
What are the symptoms of PDA?
Symptoms rare unless there is CCF or pulmonary hypertension
What are the signs of PDA?
Continuous machine murmur below L clavicle, thrill, collapsing pulse, FFT, pneumonias, loud S2.
How do you treat PDA?
Ibruprofen
What GI problem are premature babies more at risk of?
Necrotising entero-colitis
What occurs in NEC?
Ischaemic and inflammatory changes
Necrosis of the bowel
How do you manage NEC?
Surgery often req.
Antibiotics and parenteral nutrition may suffice
Why is nutrition so important in prems?
They have huge nutritional requirements
And a lot of growing to do
True or false:
Only 1/2 of all premature babies are entirely normal at 6 years of age
False
Only 1/6 are entirely normal at 6y
What are milia?
Raised bumps on the skin
Thought to be caused by damage to the skin
What is milaria?
Sweat rash
What is erythema toxicum neonatorum?
A benign self-limited maculopapular rash in healthy neonates
Rash fades by end of 1st week
No Rx req.
Cause unknown