Neonates Flashcards
NEC Clinical features Radiological features
General early clinical signs
- temp instability
- apnoea
- bradycardia
- lethargy
Abdo signs
- bile-stained aspirates
- abdominal distension, tenderness
- feed intolerance
- positive faecal occult blood/fresh PR blood
Radiological
- pneumatosis (gas within bowel wall)
- pneumoperitoneum (if perf)
- portal venous gas or bubbles in portal vein on ultrasound
Risk factors or causative factors for NEC
Prematurity
- Premature immunen system
- Impaired intestinal barrier function
- VLBW (poor blood supply to gut)
Exogenous RF
- Formula feeding (carb and protein excess leads to bacterial overgrowth) –> Mx: Breast milk
- infx -> inflammation
- hypoxia -> incr ROS
- anaemia -> incr ROS
Microbial dysbiosis
- Decr beneficial microflora
- Incr pathogenic bacteria
–> Mx: probiotics
Other RF
- PDA (treating PDA doesn’t reduce NEC however)
- Incr gut pH (H2 blockers are assoc w NEC however ?cause/effect)
- Fortification in PT infants
Routine prophylaxis against NEC
Probiotics Breast milk (mother’s own or donor)
Early (day 2) commencement of enteral feeds
Antenatal steroids in premature infants reduce risk of NEC
Microbiome in term babies
Pick up the flora of mother’s vaginal canal as they are born: Term babies ‘good’ bacteria - Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria Formula-fed Coliforms, enterococci, bacteroids
Microbiome in preterm babies
Often from nursery environment rather than from mother’s vaginal canal and skin surface Use of abx can reduce the bacterial diversity (prolonged duration of initial abx course in preterm babies is assoc w risk of NEC and death) Hence give probiotics to give them ‘good bacteria’ normally found in the gut of healthy term bugs (lactobacillus etc) - shown to reduce risk of NEC
Indications for surgical mx of NEC
Perforation Abdo mass Not responding to medical management Via Formation of ileostomy then closure after 4-6 weeks (contrast study pre closure to ensure no stricture)
What is the strongest stimulant for the closure of ductus arteriosus
Increased systemic oxygen supply is most important (from initial breaths Also - Decr circ Prostaglandin - Decr pulm vasc res - incr pulm blood flow (due o foramen ovale closure and reduced shunting across DA)
Ix for prolonged jaundice (and what is considered ‘prolonged’)
2 weeks or 3 weeks in preterm babies FBC Direct/conjugated bilirubin TFTs
Congenital hypothyroid features
Early signs - prolonged jaundice - poor suck/feeding - bradycardia - constipation - poor tone - FTT - umbi hernia - large anterior fontanelle
Definition of hypoglycaemia in newborn
<2.6
Causes of transient hypoglycaemia in newborn
ketotic (low substrate availability ) - IUGR - prematurity - asphyxia - hypothermia - sepsis - malformation Hyperinsulinism (non-ketotic) - diabetic mother - GDM - rhesus isoimmunisation
Clinical features of hypoglycemia
Apnoea Jitteriness Seizure lethargy Hypotonia
Causes of persistent hypoglycaemia in newborn
Hyperinsulinism: - Persistent hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia of infancy - Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome - Insulinoma Metabolic: Carbohydrte metabolism disorder - Galactosaemia - Hereditary fructose intolerance Organic academia - Maple syrup urine disease
Mx of hypoglycaemia in nweboern
If can feed - Oral glucose (BM or formula then hourly feeds with monitoring if blood glucose levels If cannot feed - IV 10% dextrose (5mg/kg bolus then infusion with TFI 60-90ml/kg/d) - If remains low, may need to escalate to 15-20% glucose infusion
What part of brain is most vulnerable to effects of hypoglycaemia?
Occipital lobe
Effect of caffeine when used to treat AOP
Decr ventilation Decr CLD decr need for PDA ligation decr incidence of severe ROP Incr disability free survival Decr cerbral palsy Decr cognitive delay
What are the target sats in a preterm baby and why?
aim spO2 91-95% reduce risk of ROP reduce need for ongoing O2 at 36 weeks
What is late preterm?
34 to 36 weeks gestation Incr morbidity and mortality Worse neurodev outcomes at 2 years of age Incr risk of CP
Risks of mid trimester oligohydramnios
Pulmonary hypoplasia
Mx of neonatal abstinence syndrome
Morphine -weaning regime
Mx of congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Intubate at birth then use conventional mechanical ventilation (over oscillation)
What does this ultrasound series show?

grade IV bleed (arrow in a), which developed into a porencephalic cyst (arrow in b).
Maternal antenatal screening ix (not including imaging)
Blood group and Ab (Rh)
RBC
Rubella, syphilis and hep B serology
HIV status
Sickle/thal haemoglobinopathy screening
Rhesus Ab if negative
OGTT
Urine dips
Maternal antenatal screening ultrasounds
1) 8-12 week dating scan
2) 11-14 week nuchal scan
- > nuchal fold thickness measured, is increased in down syndrome (77% sensitivity, 5% risk of false +)
- > presence/absence of nasal bone can give up to 97% risk of down syndrome (when combined with nuchal fold thickness)
- > gives risk for down, trisomy 13 and 18
- > can detect early anomalies and diagnosis of twins and onset twin-twin transfusion syndrome
3) 20-24 week anomaly scan
- > more detailed look at getal growth and looking for major congenital abnormalities and neural tube defects
4) +/- >20 weeks - growth scans (only done if concern for fetal growth or wellbeing)
















