recognising the sick neonate Flashcards
What could u consider when trying to identify a sick neonate?
Listen to the parents
Examine the baby undressed
It is suggested that observation of the baby’s appearance and behaviour is the first and most important stage of clinical assessment’ (Lumsden & Holmes (2010)
Do observations
Get an accurate feeding history and watch a feed if necessary
Check nappies for poos and wees
What should be assessed when looking at baby
•ABC
- Airway
- Breathing
- Circulation
- Colour
- Temperature
- Behaviour
- Crying
- Abnormal movements
- fits
- Feeding
- Vomiting
- Elimination
- Physical signs of infection
Why would u assess the neonates’ airways
- May have meconium aspriation syndrome
- May find it difficult to breathe
- May have respiratory distress syndrome
Why would u assess a neonates colour?
Cyanosis- when breathing could indicate cogential heart problems
Cyanosis- with Apnoea, investigate Apnoea
Grey- Shocked and very sick babies
Jaundiced- always suspect infection of pathological( if within the first 24hrs)
Why would u assess the temperature?
Raised temperature = can indicate infection or overheating which is dangerous
Hypothermia=may indicate sepsis,under-feeding, intercrani bleeding,baby must be warmed slowly if true hypothermia.
Why would u assess attitude and Behaviour of a neonate?
They could be too floppy (Hypotonia)
They could be I tense with clenched fist(Hypertonia)
They may not be moving when awake or one side moves differently to the other
They do not want to attach onto the breast and suck
Babies with such symptoms need to be seen by the peads.
Why would u assess an abnormal cry?
Some can be persistent, which could indicate hunger so investigate feeding, wind/colic or pain
If a high pitch cry, then it may indicate brain damage or a chromosomal condition.
Why would u assess abnormal movements
Could be having neonatal fits
Why would u assess feeding behaviour?
Does not demand feeds
–Affected by maternal medication/drugs?
–Jaundiced?
–Other?
•Too tired to suck long
–Preterm?
-Prolonged crying or disturbance?
–Underfed or sick
Why do we assess Abnormal urine or stool?
check for meconium plug
reduced urine
delayed changed stool, could indicate undernutrition
Name 3 obvious signs of infection
Eyes
Mastitis
Rashes
umbilicus
What is MAS?
Meconium Aspiration Syndrome
Term, Post term, Hypoxia in labour are more at risk
if meconium is present in labour in liquor, care to be taken with resuscitation
If neonate not breathing, check for meconium and suction under direct supervision
if crying and breathing observe for RDS Over next 12hrs
What is respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and reference?
A deficiency caused by surfactant (Cameron,2010)
what are the factors that increase incidence of RDS?
being preterm infants. 80% babies up to 28/40, 50% up to 33/40
it can also occur in term infants if there is hypoxia, diabetic mothers, pr-labour lscs
What factors that decrease incidence of RDS?
Stress in utero and narcotic addiction •Steroids to mother at risk of pre-term delivery (24-34/40) diminish the risk/reduce the severity of RDS (pre-term labour guidelines (NICE, 2015)
