Neonates Flashcards
What problem can prems get with their eyes?
Retinopathy of prematurity
what problem can prems get with their bones?
osteopenia of prematurity
what problems can prems get with their lungs? (x3)
Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Pneumothorax
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
what problem can prems get with their heart?
PDA = patent ductus arteriosis
what problems can prems get with their metabolism?
hypocalcaemia and general electrolyte imbalance
what problem can prems get with their liver
jaundice
what problem can prems get with their blood?
anaemia of prematurity
how much does a baby weight to class as ‘very low birth weight’ (VLBW)
<1500g
what is a baby weighing under <1000g called
‘extremely low birth weight’
<750g = incredibly low birth weight
what range do you aim to keep O2 sats within for prems? why?
91-95%
under 91% = risk of NEC
over 95% = risk of retinopathy
give me two key reasons why prems have lung problems
- not enough alveoli yet
- not enough surfactant yet
(so atelectasis)
so decreased gas exchange
what do you give to the mother to prevent resp distress syndrome in prems?
glucocorticoid
stims surfactant prod
Resp Distress Syndrome causes tachypnoea >60, laboured breathing, recession, nasal flaring, and WHAT SOUND on expiration?
expiratory grunting
What does CXR show in Resp Distress Syndrome?
ground glass
air bronchogram
what is air bronchogram on a CXR and when do u see it?
pattern of air-filled bronchi on background of airless lung
Resp Distress Syndrome
what is a sign that Resp Distress Syndrome has got really severe?
cyanosis
what is the treatment for Resp Distress Syndrome in prematurity?
surfactant therapy
+/- CPAP/ high flow o2 / mech vent
A chronic lung disease of prematurity. What’s it called?
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
What is the main complication of Resp Distress Syndrome?
persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn
If a prem needs 02 at term (past 36wks), this is…
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
What causes bronchopulmonary dysplasia in prems ?
failure of alveolarisation :(
barotrauma from mech vent
wean them onto CPAP/nasal o2. Go home on o2.
In Resp Distress Syndrome, sometimes alveoli get overdistended, letting air into the pleural cavity. What’s this called?
Pneumothorax!
How do you investigate suspected pneumothorax in a prem?
transillumination of chest wall with fibre optic light!
CXR
Pneumothorax in prems can cause decreased breath sounds and decreased chest movements on affected side. What is the treatment of a tension pneumothorax?
chest drain
Why do apnoea and bradycardia occur in prems?
brainstem not fully myelinated
Sometimes prems stop breathing for 20-30 seconds. What’s this called?
apnoea and bradycardia (brainstem problem)
What investigation for interventricular haemorrhage in prem?
cranial ultrasound
Interventricular haemorrhage in prem can lead to what two sever consequences?
- hydrocephalus–> cerebral palsy
2. infarction –> hemiplegia
Periventricular leukomalacia = loss of white matter in prems. Cranial ultrasound show?
multiple bilateral cysts
can lead to spastic diplegia
Give me three reasons why prems are vulnerable to hypothermia
- large surface area
- thin skin
- less subcutaneous fat
Which problem in premature neonates is caused by HYPEROXIC insult?
Retinopathy
vascular proliferation –> fibrosis –> blindness in some cases
Retinopathy of prematurity leads to loss of which reflex?
red reflex
What is the treatment for retinopathy of prematurity
laser therapy
ischaemia and bacterial invasion of the bowel in prems. What’s this?
necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
What are the three key symptoms of necrotizing enterocolitis?
- Distended Abdo
- Bilious Vomit
- Feed Intolerance
Two bad consequences of necrotizing enterocolitis
shock
perforation
What does AXR show in necrotizing enterocolitis?
intramural gas (distended abdo)
What is the treatment for necrotizing enterocolitis?
STOP ORAL FEEDING!
total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
Why are prems at particular risk of infection and sepsis?
- IgG doesnt go across placenta until Last Trimester!
- Mum might have had premature labour due to infection
- Nosocomial from mech vent / cath!
Neonatal jaundice is very common. Even more so in prems. At what bilirubin level is neonatal jaundice clinically visible?
80 umol/L
Two causes of jaundice <24hrs of age
haemolytic disorders (e.g. rhesus disease) congenital infections
Two causes of jaundice >24hrs-2wks of age
physiological jaundice of the newborn
breastmilk jaundice
Why does physiological jaundice of the newborn happen? Three reasons, you can get em :)
- high Hb conc at birth
- newborn rbc 70 day lifespan (instead of 120)
- bili metab less effective in first days
4 factors exacerbating jaundice between 24hrs-2wks…
infection
dehydration
bruising
polycythaemia
How to investigate jaundice of the newborn
transcutaneous bilirubin meter
serial serum bilirubins - plot on chart
split bili - to see if conjugated.
what is the usual treatment for neonatal jaundice?
correct dehydration, start Abx (sepsis risk)
if serial bilis meet threshold:
PHOTOTHERAPY
if serial bilirubins climbing dangerously high in neonatal jaundice, how do you treat?
EXCHANGE TRANSFUSION
in jaundice >2weeks of age, this may be because of conjugated or unconjugated bilirubin. Give me two causes of high unconjugated?
hypothyroidism
infection (esp UTI)
or just prolonged breastmilk / physiological >2wks
In jaundice >2wks of age, with high CONJUGATED bilirubin, what are the two key causes?
BILIARY ATRESIA
NEONATAL HEPATITIS
4 week old baby with pale stools + dark urine, hepatomegaly and growth faltering. Conjugated bilirubin is high. What are the two likely diagnosis?
Biliary atresia
Neonatal hepatitis
Bile ducts narrowed / blocked / absent. What’s this?
biliary atresia
What is the treatment for neonatal biliary atresia?
Kasai hepatoporoenterostomy
What causes neonatal hepatitis, apart from congenital infection of hepatitis?
Inborn errors of metabolism
a-1 anti-trypsin deficiency
cystic fibrosis
Unconjugated bilirubin deposits in basal ganglia and brainstem nuclei…. causing encephalopathy. What’s this?
Kernicterus.
Why is it UNconjugated bili deposits that cause kernicterus?
fat-sol – cross blood brain barrier
Neonate with lethargy, and poor feeding goes on to have opisthotonos, seizures and coma. What comes to mind?
kernicterus
Try your best to give me three complications of kernicterus.
dyskinetic cerebral palsy
learning difficulties
sensorineural deafness
premature babies are usually fed with TPN. whats this
total parenteral nutrition
why do you not build up feeds too quickly in prems?
risk of NEC
What would you give for pulmonary hypertension in newborn?
sildenafil
Give me four complications of intubation of premature babies. (Acronym: DOPE)
Displaced tube
Obstructed tube
Pneumothorax
Equipment problem
What is often one of the first clinical signs of neonatal jaundice
YELLOW SCLERAE
If a newborn has jaundice with pale stools and dark urine, what should you be worried about?
Biliary atresia