Neonatology Flashcards
Before what week are babies classed as premature?
<37 weeks
What acute problems can premature babies present with?
Hypothermia Hypoglycaemia and calcaemia Necrotising Enterocolitis Respiratory problems PDA Intraventricular haemorrhage Infection Haematological problems Retinopathy of prematurity
Why can premature babies get hypothermia?
Lack of subcutaneous fat and inability to shiver
What respiratory problems are seen in premature babies?
RDS
Pneumothorax
Apnoea
What haematological problems are seen in neonates?
Anaemia - iron deficiency
Jaundice
What causes respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn?
Lack of surfactant meaning lungs are non-compliant and stiff
Alveoli are immature and few in number
What are the risk factors of Respiratory Distress Syndrome?
Diabetic mother
C Section
How does Respiratory Distress Syndrome present?
Signs of respiratory distress - struggle to breathe, tracheal tug etc.
CXR - ground glass appearance, air bronchograms, indistinct heart border
How is Respiratory Distress Syndrome managed?
O2
Ventilate - Vapotherm, CPAP then BiPAP
Exogenous surfactant - ET tube
Dexamethasone 48hr prior to delivery
What is the aetiology of necotising enterocolitis?
Not fully known. Insult to intestinal mucosa allow commensals to spread
Potentially infective but many have negative culture
How does necrotising enterocolitis present?
Within first 2 weeks
Feeding difficulty Bilious vomiting Abdo distention Bloody mucoid stool Visible bowel loops
What would an AXR of necrotising enterocolitis show?
Thickened bowel wall
Gas filled loops
What differentials for necrotising enterocolitis would you consider?
Volvulus/malrotation
Intussusception
Haemolytic disease
Meconium ileus
How is necrotising enterocolitis managed?
Nil by mouth
NG tube - decompress
IV fluids and TPN
Gentamicin/cefotaxime + metronidazole
What complications are associated with necrotising enterocolitis?
Perforation
Sepsis
DIC
Short bowel syndrome
What causes intraventricular haemorrhage in premature babies?
Unknown but thought to be due to shearing of bridging veins
How does an intraventricular haemorrhage present?
Bradycardia
Cyanosis
Apnoea
Bulging fontanelle within first few days
How is a diagnosis of intraventricular haemorrhage made?
Cranial USS
What is the management plan for an intraventricular haemorrhage?
Supportive management
Describe the aetiology of retinopathy of prematurity
Re-oxygenation following hypoxia means O2 sats increase. This causes proliferation of vessels between vascular and non-vascular retina.
What visual changes can occur in retinopathy of prematurity
Decreased visual acuity
Retinal detachment
Blindness
How is retinopathy of prematurity managed?
O2 therapy minimised
All preterm see ophthalmologist
Laser photocoagulation
What are the long term problems associated with prematurity?
1/4 have hearing impairment
Increased risk of recurrent RTI’s
Behavioural and psychomotor problems - esp. concentration and processing power
When is neonatal jaundice worrying?
<24 hours
>14 days
What are the main causes of jaundice <24 hours after birth?
Haemolysis
Infection
What haemolytic conditions are you worried about?
Rhesus/ABO mismatch
Spherocytosis
G6PD
Haemolytic disease of the newborn
What test would you use to rule out a haemolytic cause to jaundice?
Direct Coomb’s test
G6PD levels
Where could an infection come from in a neonate <1 day old?
Mothers GU tract
Amniotic fluid
TORCH - toxoplasmosis, rubella, CMV, herpes
If a child is jaundiced between days 2-14, what is the most likely reason?
Physiological - Fetal Hb breakdown and immature liver
What are you worried about if a child has prolonged jaundice?
Congenital hypothyroidism Breast milk jaundice Biliary atresia Galactosaemia Infection
What investigations would you carry out on a well baby presenting with jaundice at day 2-3?
Serum bilirubin
What investigations would you request for a poorly baby presenting with either early or prolonged jaundice?
Bilirubin LFT Infection screen TFT Galactosaemia screen Direct Coombs Blood film G6PD
How is neonatal jaundice managed?
Supportive - so they don’t become dehydrated!
Phototherapy - convert unconjugated to conjugated so bilirubin excreted
Exchange transfusion - umbilical artery/vein