Problems Common to the Newborn Flashcards
What are the common newborn problems?
- Hypoglycemia
- Neonatal Jaundice
- Respiratory Distress of Newborn
A. Hyaline Membrane Disease
B. Most common cause
What are the general characteristics of hypoglycemia in infants?
- Defined as blood glucose less than 40-45
What is the pathophys of hypoglycemia in infants?
Infant does not have sufficient glycogen stores in muscle or liver nor sufficient fat for release of fatty acids for energy
What are the sxs of hypoglycemia in infants?
Asymptomatic Poor feeding Lethargy Tremulousness Irritability Apnea Seizures
What are the dx studies for hypoglycemic infants?
- Heel blood tested w/glucometer
- Abnormal results should be confirmed w/ serum blood glucose
- Normal glucose level is 50-80 mg/dL @ 3 hrs of age
- Abnormal level is glucose
What are the rx for hypoglycemic infants?
- Bolus of dextrose & water (D10W) & IV glucose as needed
- Continue to monitor
- Usually resolves by day 5
- Failure to resolve should prompt investigation for less likely causes
What is the pathophys of infant jaundice?
- Newborns produce bilirubin 2X the rate as adults
A. Due to polycythemia & ↑ RBC turnover
B. ↓ to adult level w/in 10-14 days after birth
What is the normal physiology of bilirubin
1/ Bilirubin is final product of heme degradation
- Insoluble in plasma & requires protein binding w/ albumin
- After conjugation in liver, it’s excreted in bile
What is level of bilirubin can cause neonatal jaundice?
- Total serum bilirubin > 5 mg/dL
2. Typically results from deposition of unconjugated bilirubin pigment in the skin & mucus membranes
When is neonatal jaundice pathologic?
- Presents w/in 1st 24 hrs after birth
- Total serum bilirubin rises by > 5 mg/dL per day
- > 17 mg/dL
- (+) signs & sx’s suggestive of serious illness
What are the most common causes of neonatal jaundice in the first wk of life?
1. Physiologic A. Appears after 24 hr B. Peaks @ 3-5 days 2. Prematurity A. Appears w/in 24 hr of birth 3. Breast feeding problems A. Appears 2nd – 3rd day of life B. ↓ volume & frequency of feedings → dehydration & delayed passage of meconium
What can cause an overproduction of bilirubin and elevated reticulocyte count?
- Hemolysis 2° to blood group sensitizations
- Hemolysis 2° to congenital hemolytic anemia
- Hemolysis 2° to sepsis
Hemolysis 2° to blood group sensitizations is asst w/?
- (+) Coombs test
A. ABO incompatibility
B. Rh incompatibility
Hemolysis 2° to congenital hemolytic anemia is asst w/?
- (-) Coombs test
A. Hereditary spherocytosis
B. G6PD deficiency
What can cause jaundice with a decreased rate of conjugation and a normal reticulocyte count?
- Physiologic jaundice 2° to ABO incompatibility
2. Bilirubin increases by