Neonate's Flashcards
Transient tachypnoea of the newborn occurs as a result of what?
failure to clear the fluid from the lungs
often seen in big-babies delivered via c-section as they have not had the same squeeze reflex as those born vaginally (30mls)
In utero what %’age of blood reaches the lungs?
~7%
due to open ductus arteriosus and PFO
When does the ductus arteriousus normally close?
Within 48 hours of birth
increases 02 tension and subsequent inhibition of prostaglandin production
removal of placenta also decreases prostaglandins
What branch of the aorta is always pre-ductal?
brachiocephalic artery
~ carotid artery
Why do babies lose heat easily when they are born?
wet
large surface area
(radiation, convection, conduction, evaporation)
they don’t shiver
Neonatal jaundice can be split into physiological, pathological and prolonged. What does this mean?
<24 hours - pathological
24hrs-14 days - physiological
>14 days - prolonged
What are causes of pathological neonatal jaundice?
sepsis
haemorrhage disease of the newborn
red cell incompatibiity
inherited conditions - G6PD deficiency, spherocytosis
What are causes of prolonged neonatal jaundice?
congenital: biliary atresia, CF, hypothyroidism
infection: UTI, TORCH (toxoplasmosis, other (HIV, syphilis, varicella), rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex)
What is the treatment for neonatal jaundice?
either
phototherapy or
exchange transfusion
plotted on a graph
How does phototherapy work as a method for treating neonatal jaundice?
UV light source helps breakdown bilirubin into products that don’t require conjugation for release (i.e. they pee it out)
How does exchange transfusion work as a method for treating neonatal jaundice?
removes blood with high bilirubin and replaces it with normal blood
don’t often give due to success of light therapy
What is an indicative sign of a cardiac problem in neonates?
delay in femoral pulses
indicative of coarctation of the aorta
