Newborn Transitioning Flashcards
Neonatal Period
the first 28 days of life
What must occur immediately at birth to sustain extrauterine life?
Respiratory gas exchange along with circulatory modifications
What 4 areas do the newborn’s most dramatic and most rapid extrauterine transitions occur in?
Respiratory
Circulatory
Thermoregulation
Ability to stabilize blood glucose levels
What are the 4 primary challenges faced by the newborn?
- System-wide changes
- Neutral thermal environment
- Prevent cold stress
- Problems bilirubin conjugation and jaundice
When do the enzymatic pathways become fully active in the newborn?
3 months
Hepatic System Functions
Blood coagulation
Iron storage
Carbohydrate metabolism
Conjugation of bilirubin
Newborn iron stores are determined by what?
total body hemoglobin content and length of gestations
If the mother’s iron intake was adequate during pregnancy what does that mean for the newborn?
Sufficient iron has been stored in the newborn’s liver for 6 months
How long will the newborn have a sufficient iron supply if the mother had an adequate intake during pregnancy?
6 months
Glucose is an essential fuel for what?
Brain metabolism
What is one of the most frequent fetal-to-newborn problems?
Hypoglycemia
What is the main source of energy for the first several hours after birth?
Glucose
What will help to stabilize the newborn’s blood glucose levels?
initiating early breast or bottle feedings
Bilirubin
yellow/orange bile pigment produced by the breakdown of red blood cells
What is responsible for bilirubin elimination in utero?
the placenta and mother’s liver
Where is the principle source of bilirubin in the newborn?
Hemolysis and erythrocytes
What is the rate of bilirubin production in the newborns?
6-8 mg/kg/day
When will bilirubin decline to the adult level?
10-14 days after birth
Jaundice
increased amount of bilirubin in the bloodstream
Jaundice causes what?
yellowing of the skin, sclera, and mucous membranes
Extremely elevated levels of bilirubin in the first week of life can cause what?
Bilirubin encephalopathy
Bilirubin Encephalopathy
a permanent and devastating form of brain damage from extremely elevated levels of bilirubin in the first week of life
Common risk factors for Jaundice
- fetal-maternal blood group incompatibility
- prematurity
- asphyxia at birth
- insufficient intake of milk during breastfeeding
- drugs
- maternal gestational diabetes
- infrequent feedings
- male gender
- birth trauma
- previous siblings
- intrauterine infections
- Asians or Native American
TORCH Infections that can cause Jaundice
T-toxoplasmosis O-other viruses R-rubella C-cytomegalovirus H-herpes simplex virus