Nursing Care of At-Risk/Sick Child - Newborns

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions regarding high-risk newborns and associated health conditions.

High-risk Newborns

Newborns classified based on factors like birthweight and gestational age, indicating a greater chance of health complications.

Low-birthweight (LBW) infant

An infant with a birth weight of less than 2500 grams (5.5 lbs), regardless of gestational age.

Very low-birthweight (VLBW) infant

An infant with a birth weight of less than 1500 grams (3.3 lbs).

Extremely low-birthweight (ELBW) infant

An infant with a birth weight of less than 1000 grams (2.2 lbs).

Appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) infant

An infant whose weight is between the 10th and 90th percentiles on growth curves.

Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infant

An infant whose weight falls below the 10th percentile on growth curves, indicating impaired growth.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)

A condition where an infant's growth is restricted in utero, leading to a lower birth weight.

Large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infant

Also known as macrosomia; An infant whose weight is above the 90th percentile on growth curves, often due to maternal factors.

Apgar score

A quick test performed on a newborn at 1 and 5 minutes after birth to assess their condition and determine if extra medical care is needed.

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

A condition caused by surfactant deficiency and immaturity in the lungs, most common in preterm infants.

Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS)

A condition where the newborn inhales a mixture of meconium and amniotic fluid into the lungs, leading to respiratory issues.

Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN)

A short-lived respiratory disorder seen shortly after delivery, characterized by rapid breathing.

Hyperbilirubinemia

An excessive level of bilirubin in the blood leading to jaundice, often due to immature liver function.

Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)

An acute inflammation of the intestines, most often seen in premature infants, characterized by bowel necrosis.

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

A condition affecting premature infants, characterized by abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina, potentially leading to blindness.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)

A group of inherited disorders affecting adrenal gland function, leading to hormone imbalances.

Endocarditis

An infection of the inner lining of the heart, usually resulting from bacteria entering the bloodstream.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

A condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs and body.

Enuresis

Involuntary urination, especially at night, that occurs in children over the age at which bladder control is expected.

Encopresis

Involuntary defecation, often associated with constipation; occurs in children over the age of four.

Newborn Screening

A procedure to determine if an infant has a heritable congenital metabolic disorder that could lead to physical complications, mental retardation, or death. 

RA 9288

Also known as the Newborn Screening Act of 2004, which integrated NBS into the public health delivery system in the Philippines. 

Ideal Timing for Newborn Screening

Ideally performed 48 to 72 hours after birth, though it can be done as early as 24 hours. 

Golden Period

The specific timeframe for each disorder where treatment is most effective at preventing permanent damage (e.g., 7–14 days for CH, 2 weeks for GAL). 

Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH)

An endocrine disorder (cretinism) resulting from a lack of thyroid gland development. If untreated, it causes stunted growth and irreversible mental retardation. 

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)

An inborn defect in adrenal cortisol biosynthesis causing salt loss, dehydration, and high levels of male sex hormones. Can be fatal within weeks if untreated.

Galactosemia (GAL)

The inability to convert galactose (found in milk) to glucose. Complications include liver cirrhosis, cataracts, and mental deficiency. 

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

A lack of the enzyme needed to break down phenylalanine. It causes brain damage and is physically characterized by blond hair, fair skin, and blue eyes due to lack of melanin.

Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency

A condition where red blood cells lack protection from oxidative substances (like mothballs or fava beans), leading to hemolytic anemia and kernicterus.

Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD)

An inherited disorder where the body cannot process certain amino acids, characterized by urine with a distinctive sweet odor. 

Failure to Thrive (FTT)

A syndrome where a child’s weight falls below the 5th percentile on growth charts.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

The sudden, unexplained death of an infant (usually during sleep), peaking between 2 to 4 months of age.

Abdominal Colic

Abdominal pain/cramping manifested by loud crying and drawing legs up, often defined as crying for >3 hours/day, >3 days/week, for >3 weeks. 

Conjunctivitis

Inflammation of the conjunctiva. In newborns, often caused by Chlamydia or Gonorrhea; in older children, usually bacterial or viral. 

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

A condition characterized by inattention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity, with onset before age seven.

Bullying

l through social, emotional, or physical means. 

Enuresis

The involuntary passage of urine (bedwetting) past the age of expected bladder control (approx. 5–7 years).

Encopresis

Fecal incontinence or soiling in inappropriate places by a child at least 4 years old.

Drowning

Highest rates occur in children aged 0–4 years; for infants, this often occurs in bathtubs or large buckets.

Aspiration

Most common in the second year of life; involves inhaling foreign objects like hot dogs, nuts, or small toy parts. 

Accidental poisoning

Toddlers are at highest risk due to curiosity and "mouthing" behavior. 

Croup Syndrome

A group of infectious processes characterized by a "barking" or "brassy" cough and inspiratory stridor. 

Aplastic Anemia

A condition where all formed elements of the blood are simultaneously depressed (pancytopenia).

Pneumonia

An inflammatory process affecting the bronchioles and alveoli, leading to the consolidation of lung tissue.

Apnea of Prematurity

The cessation of breathing for more than 20 seconds, or a shorter pause associated with oxygen desaturation and bradycardia.

Neonatal Sepsis

A generalized infection in the bloodstream of the neonate. 

Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)

An acute inflammatory disease of the bowel, most common in preterm infants

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

A serious vaso-proliferative disorder affecting the eyes of extremely premature infants, potentially leading to blindness. 

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

A serious lung disorder caused by immaturity and the inability to produce surfactant. 

Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS)

Occurs when meconium is present in the infant's lungs during or before delivery, often triggered by fetal distress.

Live Birth

A birth where the neonate shows any sign of life (heartbeat, breathing, or movement) regardless of gestational age

Fetal Death

Death after 20 weeks of gestation but before delivery. 

Neonatal Death

Death occurring in the first 27 days of life. 

Perinatal Mortality

The total number of fetal and early neonatal deaths per 1000 live births.

Neutral Thermal Environment

An environment that permits the neonate to maintain a normal core temperature with minimal oxygen consumption.

Pathologic Jaundice

Jaundice occurring within the first 24 hours of life.

Physiologic Jaundice

Jaundice occurring after the first 24 hours of life.

Kernicterus

A serious complication of hyperbilirubinemia involving bilirubin brain damage.

Heel Prick Method

The procedure used to collect blood samples from the baby's heel for screening.

False Positive

A test result that indicates a condition is present when the infant does not actually have the disease

Surfactant

A phospholipid secreted by the lungs that reduces surface tension in the alveoli to maintain lung expansion.