Prematurity Flashcards
What does LPI stand for?
Late Premature Infant (36wks)
A newborn is born before 28wks gestation it is considered?
Extreme prematurity
Lack of prenatal care, medical equipment and little education are all what?
Contributing factors to prematurity
Diagnosis of a premature baby is done so by assessing the physical and gestational age of the newborn, what are the physical characteristics dependent on?
Gestational age
What is the overall problem of a premature newborn?
Immature organ systems
What is the major problem w/ preterm newborn?
Thermoregulation (hypothermia)
If there is not enough glycogen produced in the liver and brown fat, what kind of problem is this?
Thermoregulation (limits heat production)
How will a preterm newborns posture be?
Hyperflexed
What kind of problem is it when a preterm newborn has a poor gag reflex (can aspirate) and doesn’t meet high calorie needs bc of small stomach?
Gastrointestinal
Fluid and electrolyte imbalances, fluid retention, dehydration or over hydration are all what kind of problems?
Renal
A baby is more @ risk for infection bc of a decrease in passive immunity of what maternal antibodies? And what kind of problem is this?
IgA and IgG, immunological
A sunken in fontanel can mean what?
Dehydration
What is the “soft spot” on top of the baby’s head called?
Fontanel
A protruded fontanel can mean what?
Increase in endocrine pressure
The characteristics of the color of a premature newborn are?
Cyanosis, jaundice, pallor
The characteristics of the skin of a premature newborn are?
Red, translucent, thin, wrinkles, few/no creases on feet
The characteristics of the lanugo of a premature newborn are?
Fine thin soft hair
The characteristics of the head size of a premature newborn are?
Very large in relation to the body
The characteristics of the skull bones of a premature newborn are?
Pliable (easily bent)
The characteristics of the ears of a premature newborn are?
Pliable, minimum cartilage
The characteristics of the male genitals of a premature newborn are?
Small, testes may not be descended and scrotum smooth/nonrugated
The characteristics of the female genitals of a premature newborn are?
Clit/labia minora are prominent, swollen
The characteristics of the resting position of a premature newborn are?
Flaccid, frog-like
The characteristics of the cry of a premature newborn are?
Weak
The characteristics of the reflexes of a premature newborn are?
Weak/absent suck, swallow, gag reflex
The characteristics of the activity of a premature newborn are?
Jerky motions, hypotonic
A decrease in what and inadequate lung development causes respiratory problems in the preterm newborn?
Surfactant
What two phospholipids prevent the alveoli from completely collapsing when theres a decrease in surfactant?
Lecithin and sphingomyelin
When does fetal breathing begin?
11wks
A baby is supposed to have a Lecithin and Sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio of what when born and if don’t have respiratory distress?
2:1
Tachypnea(>160beats/min), retractions, expiratory grunting, nasal flaring, apneic episodes, fine crackles on auscultation, cyanosis, BPD causing lungs to become stiff and noncompliant are all signs of what?
Respiratory Distress syndrome
What is from prolong exposure to positive pressure ventilation and can cause a barreled chest?
Broncho Pulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)
Which immunoglobin can cross the placenta and the newborn gets from mom?
IgG
Which immunoglobin cannot cross the placenta, is found in breastmilk and protects against bacterias like E.Coli and Shingella?
IgA
Whats the most common neurological alteration where bleeding occurs in/around ventricles of the brain?
Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH)
What neurological alteration is when bleeding occurs in/around the cranial (outside) of brain?
Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH)
What neurological alteration is when retinal blood vessels in eyes has abnormal growth/complications?
Retinopathy
What neurological alteration is when there’s inflammation of the GI mucosa due to ischemia resulting in necrosis and perforation of bowel or maybe short gut syndrome?
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
What assessment tool assesses the external physical characteristics, neurologic, and neuromuscular development?
Gestational age assessment tool: Ballard
In what number of wks is it when neurological changes are more significant and physical changes is less evident?
26-34wks
Neurological assessment is based on what?
Reflexes
What is unstable 24hrs after life?
Nervous system
What matures in caudocephalad (tail to head)?
Neuromuscular system
What can aid in assessing gestational age?
Neurological assessment
Muscle tone progresses from what to what as gestational age progresses?
Extensor to flexor
Birth after 20wks gestation and before 37wks gestation is what?
Prematurity; a preterm newborn
What is the term used to describe absence of breathing for >20sec or for less than 20sec when associated w/ cyanosis, pallor and bradycardia?
Apnea of prematurity
What is the term used to describe small volume feedings of formula or human milk (usually 24mL) designed to “prime” premature infants intestinal tract and stimulate many of its hormonal and enzymatic functions?
Minimal enteral nutrition
