Common Terms and Abbreviations - Newborns

Acrocyanosis

Cyanotic appearance of the newborn hands and feet in the immediate newborn period

AGA

Appropriate for gestational age

Babinski’s Reflex

Elicited by stroking the plantar surface of the newborn foot fromheel upward and across the ball to the great toe; expected response: toes fan and hyperextend with dorsiflexion of the great toe (p.666)

Barlow’s test

Assess of newborn hips to detect for Hip Dysplasia. Hip is flexed and thigh is abducted as it is pushed posteriourlly to the line of the femur’s shaft.  (p. 1730)

Caput Succedaneum

Edematous area on the newborn skull; most often evident on the occiput following vaginal delivery

Cephalhematoma

Unilateral swelling of the newborn head present within the first 3 days of life caused by a collection of blood between the skull bone and the periosteum

Colostrum

Thin, yellow breast milk seen in late pregnancy and first 1-3 days postpartum

Epispadias

Abnormal positioning of the urinary meatus on the dorsal (upper) side of the penis

Erythematoxicum

Newborn rash, often to face and trunk, characterized by pustules with red base; usually resolves spontaneously

Extrusion Reflex

Outward protrusion of the newborn’s tongue when touched

Grasp Reflex (palmar/plantar)

Newborn’s fingers/toes curl in response to examiner’s finger placed in the palm or ball of foot

Hyperbilirubinemia

Excess of serum bilirubin resulting from breakdown of red blood cells, leading to jaundice (p.693)

Hypospadias

Abnormal positioning of the urinary meatus on the ventral (under) side of the penis

Imperforate Anus

Congenital defect in which the opening to the anus is missing or forms a blind pouch

Jaundice

Increased levels of unconjugated bilirubin. Usually resolves in several days. Occurs in 80% of preterm newborns.  and requires phototherapy. Greater incidence in Asian and Indigenous infants (p693)

Kangaroo Care

Positioning the newborn and mother skin-to-skin for added warmth ( p. 649)

Kernicterus

Deposits of unconjugated bilirubin in brain cells (p. 694)

Lanugo

Downy hair on arms, back, face of the newborn

LGA

Large for gestational age

Mastitis

Inflammation and infection of the breast

Meconium

First newborn bowel movement; greenish-black and tarry (sticky)

Milia

Small white spots on the newborn nose cause by unopened sebaceous glands; disappear spontaneously

Molding

Elongated shape of the newborn skull resulting from overriding cranial bones to facilitate passage through the birth canal

Mongolian Spot

Dark bluish spot that appears most commonly on the buttocks of dark-skinned newborns that gradually fade; may be mistaken for a bruise

Moro reflex (startle reflex)

Newborn symmetrically abducts arms with fingers spread to form “C” before returning to flexed position. Asymmetric response may indicate clavicle or brachial plexus injury (p.664)

Polydactyly

Extra digit on hand or foot

RDS

Respiratory distress syndrome; due to immaturity of lungs and usually lack of surfactant

Rooting reflex

Turning of head and opening of mouth elicited by stroking the lower lip or cheek

SGA

Small for gestational age

Syndactyly

Webbing between the fingers or toes

Tonic Neck reflex “fencing”

Infant’s head turned to left, arm/leg on that side extend; same is true when head turned to right (p.664)

Trunk incurvation reflex

With the infant in prone position, stroke along one side of the spine; infant will curve both toward that side (p. 666)

Swallow reflex

Infant swallowing usually follows sucking and obtaining fluids. Usually coordinated with sucking and breathing (p. 663)

Extrusion Reflex

Touch or depress tip of tongue; newborn forces tongue outward

Stepping or “walking”

Hold infant vertically under arms or on trunk allowing one foot; infant will simulate walking alternating extension and flexion of feet

Crawling reflex

Place newborn on abomen; newborn makes crawling movements with arms and legs. Disappears at 6 wks of age

Desquamation

“Peeling” of the skin of the term infant usually a few days after birth; may be an indication of post maturity

Thermogenesis

In response to cold – newborn attempts to generate heat by increasing muscle activity. Skin may feel cool to touch with acrocyanosis present due to vasoconstriction. Increase in cellular metabolic activity (brain, heart, liver) increased oxyen & glucose consumption; assume position of flexion and/or vasoconstiction of peripheral blood vessels to reserve body heat