Premature / LBW / NICU Flashcards
What type of small babies can you get
SGA
- Could be genetic or due to IUGR
LBW
IUGR
What is IUGR
If still in womb
<10th centile
Suggest something happening in womb to compromise blood flow / sick baby
What causes LBW
Idiopathic Placental insufficiency Chromosomal Infection - TORCH / CMV / syphillis MCMA twins Malformation
What causes placental sufficiency
Maternal IHD High BP PET Abruption DM Systemic Sickle cell Smoking / alcohol
What are common problems in LBW
Perinatal hypoxia - increased haematocrit, bilirubin and plasma viscosity
= Polycytheaemia as hypoxia = produce more
Hypoglycaemia
Hypothermia
Thrombocytopenia - BM concentrating on making RBC
NEC
GI - as blood flow to more important organs in stress
Nutrition
Meconium aspiration syndrome as stressed
IRDS as less surfactant
Infection
What are long term problems of LBW
DM Hypertension Reduced Growth IHD Obesity Renal failure Stroke Retinopathy Lung - asthma
What is mild LBW and extreme
LBW <2.5kg
VLBW <1.5kg
Extreme <1kg
What is symmetric LBW
OFC and weight in the same percentile
What causes symmetric
1st trimester insult Affects all DNA Chromosomal Infection - TORCH Teratogenic drug Severe smoke / alcohol
Will symmetric LBW improve
Unlikely as will never have enough cells
What is asymmetric
OFC spares
Weight <10 centile
What causes asymmetric LBW
3rd trimester insult
Placental insufficiency - PIH
Will have catch up growth
Why is LBW associated with hypothermia
Lack of fat stores
Why is LBW associated with hypoglycaemia
No glycogen reserve as IUGR throughout pregnancy so constantly used up
What does the hypoxic state in utero of LBW babies cause
Increased haematocrit 20-22 (normal 18-20)
Increased plasma viscosity (VTE / slow circulation)
Polycythaemic to increase RBC as hypoxic
Increased bilirubin as have to break down
Thrombocytopenia as BM making RBC
How do you treat the hypoxic state of LBW babies
Partial exchange transfusion
Why does premature make you more prone to infection
IgG transfer in 3rd trimester
Immune system is underdeveloped
Interventions in premature
Can be caused by chorioamnitis
How do you treat infection
Prophylactic penicillin and gentamicin to cover strep and staph / gram -ve E.coli
Diff Ax if think meningitis
Do you worry more about pre-term but appropriate for gestational age or the pre-term SGA
Pre-term appropriate gestational age
SGA baby will have been under stress in the womb so produce natural steroids to mature lungs
Neonatal abstinence syndrome
OK
What has decreased infant mortality
Obstetric care Housing Nutrition Immunisation Ax NHS
What is most important in LBW babies
Nutrition
More prone to food intolerance and gut unable to absorb
What causes pre-term babies
Idiopathic Smoking / alcohol / drugs Over or underweight FH Malnutrition Infection - chorioamnitis PET DM APH Polyhydramnios Twins Malformation PPROM
What is term
37-42
Mild prematurity
32-37
Moderate
28-32
Extreme
<28 weeks
What Is important if premature
Nutrition Fluid - dextrose TPN if long term Syringe feed NG Vitamins ABIDEK Iron at 28 days Establish feet
Complications of pre-term
IRDS Bronchopulmonary dysplasia Minor resp issues IVH Periventricular leucomalacia Post haemorrhagic hydrocephalus Hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy Neonatal jaundice NEC PDA Infection Low BP Hypothermia Hypoglycaemia Nutrition as poor feeding
What are long term complications of pre-term
Chronic lung - asthma / bronchiolitis Anaemia of prematurity Metabolic bone disease Retinopathy Cerebral palsy Low IQ / learning difficulties Hearing and visual
How do you screen for long term issues
Cranial USS
Retinopathy
What causes IRDS
Deficiency of alveolar surfactant Lungs can't expand Collapse Large pressure needed to inflate Leads to inadequate gas exchange, hypoxia and hypercapnia