Assessing Neonatal Health

These flashcards cover key concepts about assessing neonatal health, focusing on APGAR scale, definitions of low birth weight and premature infants, and the significance of reflexes and sleep patterns.

APGAR

A scale used to quickly assess a newborn's health, which includes five criteria: Appearance, Pulse, Grimace response, Activity, and Respiration.

Low Birth Weight

Refers to infants born at full term but weighing less than 5.5 lbs.

Premature Infants

Infants born before 38 weeks of gestation.

Neonatal Behavioral Assessment

An assessment conducted two weeks after birth focusing on neurological development and reflex reactions.

Reflexes

Unlearned patterns of behavior that occur in response to specific stimuli, often of adaptive survival value.

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

A leading cause of death in infants, characterized by the sudden and unexplained death of a baby.

REM Sleep

A stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movement, important for cognitive function and development.

Marasmus

A form of malnutrition resulting from a poor diet, typically seen in the first year of life.

Kwashiorkor

A form of malnutrition usually seen in children aged 1-3 years, caused by insufficient protein intake.