Neonates Flashcards
T/F
Epstein’s pearls are superficial white keratin cysts on the palate seen in 80% of neonates
True
Esp along alveolar ridges and/or junction of hard and soft palates
resolve in weeks
T/F
The stratum corneum of a term neonate is not intact so high risk of systemic absorption
False
startum corneum is intact
but do have high risk of systemic absorption of topicals
o Inc SA to vol ratio
o Often occlusive conditions eg)under nappy
o High ambient temps and humidity
T/F
Preterm infants have reduced skin barrier esp if less than 37 weeks
False
reduced if inder 34 weeks
The more prem the infant the more cutaneous absorption there will be
T/F
Skin barrier function in preterm neonates will become normal in 2-3 weeks after delivery
True
regardless of gestational age
T/F
Prem neonates have greatly increased transepidermal waterloss (TEWL)
True
T/F
topical antiseptics can be damaging in neonates
True
Be very cautious applying anything to skin of neonates esp prems
alcohols – can cause ‘chemical burns’ necrosis and toxicity
caution with antiseptics and steroids
T/F
Petrolatum based emollients in prems reduces TEWL but increases risk of staph and nosocomial infections
True
T/F
High TEWL in prem can cause evaporative heat loss which exceeds babies resting heat production
True
T/F
The warm humid environment provided for prems reduced TEWL and heat loss but increases infection risk and slows the rate at which the skin attains normal barrier function
True
T/F
All eccrine sweat glands are present and functional by 28 weeks gestation
False
present by 28 weeks but not fully functional until 36th week
T/F
Preterm neonates develop normal neonatal sweating when they reach 36 weeks (adjusted)
False
develop normal neonatal sweating within 2 weeks of birth
T/F
Babies sweat mainly from the groin which helps with heat loss there
False
Babies sweat mainly from forehead in response to thermal stimuli but its ineffective for heat loss
Babies sweat from palm and soles in response to emotional stress
T/F
Babies sweat from the face in response to emotional stress
False
Babies sweat from palm and soles in response to emotional stress
T/F
Secretions from sebaceous glands contribute to vernix caseosa
True
T/F
Sebaceous glands are more active in neonates than any other time until puberty due to maternal androgens
True
T/F
Neonatal sebaceous gland activity rduced after the first 5 months of life
False
Activity reduces from end of first month to stable level by end of first year
T/F
The Vernix caseosa is formed at 28 weeks gestation
False
24 weeks
T/F
The Vernix caseosa contains: lipids, antimicrobial peptides, lysozyme
True
T/F
The Vernix caseosa is green in post term neonates
False
Golden yellow if post term or haemolytic disease of newborn
Can be stained green by bile pigment in meconium eg)foetal distress
T/F
The Vernix caseosa begins to dry and flake off in a few days
False
within a few hours it begins
T/F
Acrocyanosis is a concerning sign in a neonate
False
Normal in newborn esp if full term, lasts for first 48hours
Seen on palms, soles and around mouth (tongue is red as no central cyanosis)
Worse if hypothermic, better with warming
T/F
Erythema neonatorum is a normal response in neonates which fades after 2 weeks
False
Normal finding of striking hyperaemia, generalized, develops in first few hours after birth
Fades in 1-2 days
T/F
Harlequin colour change affects 15% of neonates during first week when lying on one side
True
May be one or multiple episodes lasting up to 20mins
T/F
If Harlequin colour change lasts more than one week look for CVS abnormalities
False
Usually fades after one week but can be normal up to 4 weeks
Look for CVS anomalies if it persists after 4 weeks