Newborn (Part 2) - Unit 4 Flashcards
How does the newborn position itself at birth to warm itself?
Position of flexion, which reduces skin surface temp. Unless they are preterm, then they can’t do this.
Why are newborns at risk for temp issues?
Thin skin, blood vessels closer to the surface of the skin, little subcutaneous fat, transfer of heat, 3x more surface to body mass than adults, lose heat 4x greater than adults.
What is evaporation?
Air drying, resulting in cooling.
What is conduction heat loss?
Direct contact, touching something hot. Like, the cold plastic scale for babies!
What is convection?
Heat loss from mass through air or water - like a lava lamp. As it gets hot, it rises. As it cools, it lowers. Think of air movements in a nursery, etc.
What is radiation heat loss?
NOT direct - wall of an incubator, double walls fix that!
What happens when infants become cold?
Exposure to cold temp –> peripheral vasoconstriction –> skin feels cold to touch –> acrocynosis (hands and blue feet) –> increased metabolic rate.
Infants can increase their metabolic rate __ to ___ rate.
200-300%
When cold, babies burn sugar. T/F?
TRUE
What is nonshivering thermogenesis?
This is the metabolism of brown fat to produce heat. Increases heat production by 100%. Brown fat has a lot of blood vessels and is found on the neck, axillae, around the heart, kidneys, and adrenals. etc.
When does nonshivering themogenesis start?
When SKIN (not core) temp falls to 95-96.8 - thermal receptors in skin detect this.
Cold stress - increased O2 need can lead to respiratory distress. T/F?
TRUE
Metabolism of glucose without proper oxygen levels will lead to increased acids in the blood. T/F?
TRUE
What causes jaundice?
Hyperbilirubinemia- an increased level of bile.
Bilirubin is formed from what?
Hemolysis of RBC’s.
What is the difference between indirect (unconjugated) or direct (conjugated) bilirubin?
Unconjugated = fat soluble - absorbed by fat in body and causes yellowing of the skin.
What is the conjugation process for the bilirubin?
Conjugation is in liver - UC attaches to albumin, goes to liver, gets with enzyme and becomes conjugated, then goes through bile, then you poop it out!
Bili staining of the tissues causes what?
Acute bilirubin encephalopathy or a severe/chronic form (kernicterus)