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NICU Terminology
Terminology in the NICU
There are many words you will hear in our NICU that you may not be familiar with. Here are just a few. Feel free to ask any questions if you do not understand or have any concerns related to your baby.
A's and B's short for apnea and bradycardia
Aspiration foreign body in the lungs, or medical procedure using suction to remove fluid out of lungs, nose or mouth etc.
Apnea -a short period of time when a baby does not take a breath.
Antibiotics medications used to treat bacterial infections.
Bagging - helping the baby to breath by connecting a special rubber bag to oxygen and a mask or tube to push air into the lungs.
Bilirubin - a chemical created by the breakdown of red blood cells. A large amount of this bilirubin in the body causes yellow coloring of the skin and eyes (this is called jaundice).
Blood gas - a test using a small amount of blood to measure levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.
Bradycardia - a slower than normal heart beat. It often occurs with apnea.
Catheter a tube that removes or replaces fluids.
Cardiac relating to the heart.
Chest tube a tube inserted through the chest wall; used to suction fluid and/or air from the chest.
Congenital Present at birth
Culture a sample of blood or fluid taken to test for germs which may cause an infection.
Cyanosis - a bluish coloring of the skin and lips caused by a low level of oxygen in the blood.
Diaphragmatic hernia a hole in the diaphragm that allows the abdominal contents to move into the chest cavity.
Edema extra fluid in the body tissues, causing swelling or puffiness of the skin.
Electrode a sensor which sends heartbeat and breathing information to the monitor. They are place on the baby's chest, arms or legs. Also called leads.
Electrolytes sodium, potassium, and chloride levels in the blood.
ECMO Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation a heart/lung bypass procedure used for severely sick lung treatment.
Endotracheal tube (ET) a plastic tube inserted through the mouth into the trachea (windpipe) to help breathing. Usually connected to a ventilator (breathing machine)
Gavage tube a tube inserted through the nose (NG) or mouth (OG) into the stomach. The tube delivers nutrients and medications (also know as tube feedings) and/or removes air or fluid.
Gestational age the length of time from conception to birth. A full term gestation is between 38 and 41 weeks.
Heel stick a small prick make in the baby's heel to obtain a blood sample for testing.
Hematocrit the percentage of red blood cells - blood test.
Hyperalimentation or Total Parental nutrition (TPN) a special fluid made with a combination of vitamins, protein, and glucose given intravenously.
Hypoglycemia blood sugar below normal.
Hyperglycemia blood sugar above normal
Hypoxia oxygen level below normal.
Hypotension a low blood pressure.
Hypertension a high blood pressure.
Ileostomy a surgical opening into the ileum or small intestine.
Intravenous (IV) fluid or medications going directly into a vein via a tubing or syringe.
Intubation a tube placed in the trachea to ventilate the lungs (mechanically breath for the baby).
Jaundice -the yellow discoloration of a baby's skin caused by too much bilirubin in the blood.
Kangaroo Care the infant is placed chest to chest, skin to skin on the parent. Either parent can do this. The baby wears only a diaper, is stable, and can be on a ventilator. Kangaroo Care speeds and enhances the recovery of preterm infants.
Meconium - the first bowel movement passed by a newborn, usually dark green and sticky.
Meconium aspiration syndrome - a type of pneumonia caused by a stool being passed while the baby is still in the womb/uterus. The stool can be inhaled into the baby's lungs and can partially or completely block the baby's airway.
Meningitis infection of the membranes of the spinal cord or brain.
Milligram metric system weight. There are 1000 milligrams in one gram.
Multidisciplinary Rounds - a team approach to the infant's care, takes place once a week. The team may consists of Registered Nurses, Neonatologist, Social Worker, Dietitian, Pharmacist, Developmental Case manager, Home Health Nurse, Respiratory Therapist and Patient Care Coordinator.
Murmur - a sound produced by the heart: May indicates a heart problem but can be benign.
Nasal CPAP Nasal continuous positive airway pressure. An increase flow of air or oxygen though the prongs of a cannula in the nose. To keep the lungs and airway open.
Neonate - a newborn infant, less than 30 days old.
Neonatologist - a physician who specializes in the care of the critically ill newborn infants.
NICU neonatal intensive care unit, (aka Nick-you, intensive care baby unit or intensive care for newborns).
NPO - a Latin term meaning nothing by mouth: the baby will not be fed but will receive IV nutrition and fluids.
Oxygen saturation - the level of oxygen in a baby's blood. Oxygen level is measured by a small probe on the baby's hand or foot, also by blood samples.
Packed Red Blood cells (PRBC) - oxygen carrying red blood cells use for blood transfusions.
PDA patent ductus arteriosis. This blood vessel normally closes shortly after birth.
PDA ligation - surgical closure of the ductus arteriosis.
PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter) - a flexible, thin IV tube inserted into a vein in the arm, foot or leg and then guided up into a larger vein near the heart.
Phototherapy - florescent lights that reduce jaundice by breaking down the bilirubin in the skin. The eyes are covered from the light and the is skin exposed.
Pneumonia inflammation of the lungs caused by infections or aspiration.
Pnemothorax - small hole in the lung causing the air to escape into the chest cavity and compress the lung.
PO2 measure of oxygen in the blood.
Polycythemia too many red blood cells in the blood.
Pulmonary Hypertension increased blood pressure to the lungs, causing a decrease in oxygenation.
Residual amount (usually in stomach) remaining (before the next feeding).
Retracting Pulling between the ribs and sternum, and working hard to breath.
Stool feces from bowel movement.
Spinal Tap the removal of a small amount fluid from the spinal canal. The fluid is then analyzed for infections or bleeding.
Surfactant- a good fluid in the lungs that keeps the lungs open and expanded.
Tracheotomy a small surgical opening in the trachea and neck for breathing assistance.
Transient tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN) respirations (breathing) in a baby that are shallow and rapid (usually over 80 breaths per minute.) It is often caused by fluid in the lungs and will improve as this fluid is absorbed.
Umbilical arterial catheter (UAC) & umbilical venous catheter(UVC) a tube inserted into the babies umbilical cord (or belly button) into the arterial or venous blood vessels. Used to give medications or fluid and to draw blood samples. The UAC can also monitor blood pressure.
Urinalysis a laboratory examination of the urine.
Ventilator a machine which fills the baby's lungs with the corrected amount of oxygen/air and pressure and helps the baby breath. Also called a Respirator.
Weaning slowly decreasing the amount of support.
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