Neonatal Effects of High-risk Pregnancies & Maternal Infections

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the neonatal effects of maternal diabetes, multiple gestations, TORCH infections, and classifications of high-risk infants.

Fetal hyperinsulinism

A condition where the fetal pancreas overproduces insulin in response to maternal hyperglycemia, acting as a growth hormone that can lead to macrosomia.

Macrosomia

Excessive birth weight commonly seen in infants of diabetic mothers, caused by the growth-promoting effects of high fetal insulin levels.

Caudal regression syndrome

A rare congenital anomaly characterized by sacral agenesis and abnormal development of the lower spine, strongly associated with pregestational diabetes.

Monozygotic (MZ)

Twins developing from one ovum and one sperm that splits into two embryos; also referred to as identical twins.

Dizygotic (DZ)

Twins developing from two separate ova and two separate sperm; also referred to as fraternal twins.

Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS)

A complication in monochorionic twins where one twin (the donor) becomes anemic and growth-restricted due to blood being shunted to the other twin (the recipient).

Superfecundation

The fertilization of two ova within the same menstrual cycle by sperm from different coitus events, potentially involving different fathers.

Superfetation

The rare occurrence of ovulation and fertilization during an established pregnancy; while documented in animals, it is unproven in humans.

Congenital Infections

Infections acquired via the transplacental route during intrauterine life.

Perinatal Infections

Infections acquired during the labor or birth process, typically presenting clinically within the first month of life.

Ophthalmia Neonatorum

Gonococcal conjunctivitis in newborns, appearing $2-5$ days after birth with profuse purulent discharge and swelling.

Inclusion Conjunctivitis

A chlamydial infection in newborns appearing $5-14$ days after birth, characterized by mucoid to purulent discharge.

Blueberry muffin rash

A characteristic skin lesion (petechiae/purpura) often associated with congenital Rubella or Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections.

Dactylitis

Inflammation of the fingers or toes, referred to as sausage fingers, which can be a clinical manifestation of congenital Syphilis.

SGA (Small for Gestational Age)

A postnatal diagnosis for an infant whose birth weight is less than the $10\text{th}$ percentile for their gestational age.

IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction)

A prenatal diagnosis of poor in utero growth, often identified via growth curves or Doppler studies.

Symmetric IUGR

An early-onset growth restriction (2nd trimester) where the head circumference, length, and weight are all equally decreased.

Asymmetric IUGR

A late-onset growth restriction (3rd trimester) characterized by a preserved head circumference but decreased weight and length, often due to placental insufficiency.

LGA (Large for Gestational Age)

An infant whose birth weight is greater than the $90\text{th}$ percentile for their gestational age.

Extremely preterm

Infants born before $28$ weeks of gestation.

ELBW (Extremely Low Birth Weight)

An infant with a birth weight of less than $1,000,g$.

Trophic feeds

Also known as minimal enteral nutrition; very small amounts of milk given to stimulate GI tract development and prevent necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants.

Dysmaturity

The clinical appearance of a post-term infant, including features like desquamating skin, long nails, and decreased weight despite normal length.

Corrected Age

The age calculated by subtracting the number of weeks born premature from the chronological age, used for developmental assessments until the age of 2.

Bayley Scales

A standard assessment tool used to evaluate cognitive, language, motor, social, and emotional development in high-risk infants.