Vocabulary Flashcards: Essential Newborn Care, Neonatal Conditions, Growth & Development (Lecture Notes)

This set converts the lecture notes into vocabulary-style flashcards, each with a term and a concise definition to aid exam preparation.

Cord clamping

Timing of clamping the umbilical cord after birth; delayed clamping (until pulsations stop, typically within about 3 minutes) to balance blood volume and iron status.

Polycythemia (neonatal)</termistration

Excess red blood cells in a newborn which can increase blood viscosity and risk of clots.

Rooming-in

Policy allowing the mother and newborn to stay together to promote bonding and breastfeeding.

Colostrum

The first breast milk rich in antibodies (especially IgA) given in the first days of life to protect the newborn.

Vitamin K administration

Injection given to newborns to prevent hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (vitamin K deficiency).

Erythromycin eye prophylaxis

Topical antibiotic given in the eyes at birth to prevent neonatal conjunctivitis from infection.

BCG vaccination (birth dose)

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine given at birth to protect against tuberculosis (intradermal).

Hepatitis B vaccination (birth dose)

HepB vaccine given at birth to help prevent hepatitis B infection (intramuscular).

Kussmaul breathing

Heavy, deep, labored breathing indicating respiratory distress or metabolic acidosis in newborns.

Hypothermia (newborn)

Abnormally low body temperature due to impaired thermoregulation; risk increases without adequate warming measures.

Physiologic weight loss

Normal initial loss of newborn weight after birth, typically up to about 10% of birth weight.

Hypoglycemia (neonatal)

Low blood glucose in the newborn, potentially due to limited intake or illness; requires monitoring and management.

Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome (IRDS)

Respiratory distress caused by surfactant deficiency, especially in preterm infants; involves difficulty expanding the lungs.

Surfactant (Type II alveolar cells)

Lipid-protein substance produced by type II alveolar cells that reduces surface tension and prevents alveolar collapse.

Brown adipose tissue (non-shivering thermogenesis)

Fat tissue used to generate heat in newborns without shivering, helps maintain body temperature.

Skin-to-skin contact

Immediate chest-to-chest contact between mother and baby to promote bonding and thermal comfort.

Non-separation of mother and newborn

Practice encouraging ongoing contact and bonding rather than separating mother and baby after birth.

Drying after birth

Immediately patting and drying the newborn to reduce heat loss and stimulate breathing.

Routine suctioning (neonatal)

Routine suctioning of airways is generally avoided unless clinically indicated; reduces unnecessary procedures.

Footprinting (neonatal)

Taking foot impressions/prints of the newborn as a form of identification.

Weighing the newborn

Measuring infant weight as part of initial assessment and ongoing monitoring.

G6PD deficiency

X-linked enzymatic defect causing hemolysis under oxidative stress; presents with anemia and potential brisk jaundice.

Galactosemia

Inability to metabolize galactose; requires galactose-free diet (often with soy-based or specialized formulas).

Newborn screening (RA 9288 Act)

National program for timely screening of metabolic, genetic, and other disorders in newborns.

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Inability to metabolize phenylalanine; requires a low-phenylalanine diet to prevent intellectual disability.

Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD)

Disorder of branched-chain amino acid metabolism (leucine, isoleucine, valine) with characteristic urine odor; requires dietary management.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)

Enzyme deficiency causing cortisol (and sometimes mineralocorticoid) deficiency; may require hormone replacement therapy.

Anterior fontanelle

The soft, diamond-shaped area on a newborn’s skull that remains open for months; typically closes by 12–18 months.

Posterior fontanelle

The smaller skull soft spot at the back of the newborn’s head; usually closes by 2–3 months.

Moro reflex

A startle response in newborns with an abrupt movement; extensions of arms then flexion; disappears by about 4–6 months.

Rooting reflex

Touch to the cheek causes head turn toward the stimulus and mouth opening; disappears by about 4 months.

Sucking reflex

Automatic sucking when something is placed in the mouth; gradually becomes voluntary sucking by around 6 months.

Palmar grasp reflex

Newborn grasp when the palm is touched; typically fades by 4–6 months.

Pincer grasp

Precise grasp using thumb and index finger; develops around 9–12 months.

Babinski reflex

Toes fan/flex when the sole is stroked; disappears by 12–24 months.

Parachute reflex

Protective extension of the arms when the infant is moved forward; persists beyond infancy.

Sensorimotor stage (Piaget)

First Piaget stage from birth to ~2 years, learning via senses and motor actions.

Preoperational stage (Piaget)

Second Piaget stage characterized by egocentrism and symbolic play; occurs roughly ages 2–7.

Concrete operational (Piaget)

Third Piaget stage with logical thinking about concrete objects; conservation concepts emerge.

Formal operational (Piaget)

Fourth Piaget stage involving abstract reasoning and hypothesis testing, typical in adolescence.

Erikson: Trust vs Mistrust

First psychosocial stage; forming trust through consistent, responsive care in infancy.

Kohlberg: Pre-conventional level

Early moral reasoning focused on obedience and rewards/punishments; stages 1–2.

Kohlberg: Conventional level

Moral reasoning based on social approval and rule-following; stages 3–4.

Kohlberg: Post-conventional level

Moral reasoning guided by universal ethical principles; stages 5–6.

Anteroposterior fontanelle closure timing

Refers to when the anterior/posterior fontanelles close; relates to skull growth and intracranial pressure assessment.

Hirschsprung disease (aganglionic megacolon)

Congenital absence of ganglion cells in the distal colon, causing constipation and bowel obstruction.

Cryptorchidism

Undescended testis; may require orchiopexy to prevent fertility or cancer risk.

Orchiopexy

Surgical correction of undescended testis.

Hypospadias

Abnormal placement of the urethral opening on the underside of the penis.

Epispadias

Urethral opening located on the upper (dorsal) side of the penis.

Chordee

Downward curvature of the penis due to tissue imbalance; may require surgical correction.

Meatotomy

Surgical incision to widen a narrowed urethral opening.

Spina bifida occulta

Mild form of spina bifida with no protruding sac; hidden defect often detected incidentally.

Spina bifida meningocoele/myeolomeningocele

Neural tube defects with herniation of meninges (meningocele) or meninges plus spinal cord (myelomeningocele) through a vertebral defect.

TEF (tracheoesophageal fistula)

Abnormal connection between trachea and esophagus causing feeding difficulties and risk of aspiration.

Esophageal atresia

Esophagus ends in a blind pouch; usually associated with TEF and feeding problems.

Pyloric stenosis

Hypertrophy of the pyloric sphincter causing projectile vomiting; olive-shaped mass in the LUQ.

Intussusception

Telescoping of one bowel segment into another; presents with abdominal pain, distension, vomiting, and sometimes currant jelly stools.

Exstrophy of the bladder

Bladder exstrophy; bladder exposed on the abdominal wall; requires surgical reconstruction.

Gastrostomy / TPN (gastrostomy tube feeding / total parenteral nutrition)

Alternative feeding methods used in cases of impaired oral intake or GI function.

Neonatal dehydration signs

Dry skin, sunken fontanelle, decreased urine output indicating inadequate fluid intake.

Cord clamping

Timing of clamping the umbilical cord after birth; delayed clamping (until pulsations stop, typically within about 3 minutes) to balance blood volume and iron status.

Polycythemia (neonatal)</termistration

Excess red blood cells in a newborn which can increase blood viscosity and risk of clots.

Rooming-in

Policy allowing the mother and newborn to stay together to promote bonding and breastfeeding.

Colostrum

The first breast milk rich in antibodies (especially IgA) given in the first days of life to protect the newborn.

Vitamin K administration

Injection given to newborns to prevent hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (vitamin K deficiency).

Erythromycin eye prophylaxis

Topical antibiotic given in the eyes at birth to prevent neonatal conjunctivitis from infection.

BCG vaccination (birth dose)

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine given at birth to protect against tuberculosis (intradermal).

Hepatitis B vaccination (birth dose)

HepB vaccine given at birth to help prevent hepatitis B infection (intramuscular).

Kussmaul breathing

Heavy, deep, labored breathing indicating respiratory distress or metabolic acidosis in newborns.

Hypothermia (newborn)

Abnormally low body temperature due to impaired thermoregulation; risk increases without adequate warming measures.

Physiologic weight loss

Normal initial loss of newborn weight after birth, typically up to about 10% of birth weight.

Hypoglycemia (neonatal)

Low blood glucose in the newborn, potentially due to limited intake or illness; requires monitoring and management.

Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome (IRDS)

Respiratory distress caused by surfactant deficiency, especially in preterm infants; involves difficulty expanding the lungs.

Surfactant (Type II alveolar cells)

Lipid-protein substance produced by type II alveolar cells that reduces surface tension and prevents alveolar collapse.

Brown adipose tissue (non-shivering thermogenesis)

Fat tissue used to generate heat in newborns without shivering, helps maintain body temperature.

Skin-to-skin contact

Immediate chest-to-chest contact between mother and baby to promote bonding and thermal comfort.

Non-separation of mother and newborn

Practice encouraging ongoing contact and bonding rather than separating mother and baby after birth.

Drying after birth

Immediately patting and drying the newborn to reduce heat loss and stimulate breathing.

Routine suctioning (neonatal)

Routine suctioning of airways is generally avoided unless clinically indicated; reduces unnecessary procedures.

Footprinting (neonatal)

Taking foot impressions/prints of the newborn as a form of identification.

Weighing the newborn

Measuring infant weight as part of initial assessment and ongoing monitoring.

G6PD deficiency

X-linked enzymatic defect causing hemolysis under oxidative stress; presents with anemia and potential brisk jaundice.

Galactosemia

Inability to metabolize galactose; requires galactose-free diet (often with soy-based or specialized formulas).

Newborn screening (RA 9288 Act)

National program for timely screening of metabolic, genetic, and other disorders in newborns.

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Inability to metabolize phenylalanine; requires a low-phenylalanine diet to prevent intellectual disability.

Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD)

Disorder of branched-chain amino acid metabolism (leucine, isoleucine, valine) with characteristic urine odor; requires dietary management.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)

Enzyme deficiency causing cortisol (and sometimes mineralocorticoid) deficiency; may require hormone replacement therapy.

Anterior fontanelle

The soft, diamond-shaped area on a newborn’s skull that remains open for months; typically closes by 12–18 months.

Posterior fontanelle

The smaller skull soft spot at the back of the newborn’s head; usually closes by 2–3 months.

Moro reflex

A startle response in newborns with an abrupt movement; extensions of arms then flexion; disappears by about 4–6 months.

Rooting reflex

Touch to the cheek causes head turn toward the stimulus and mouth opening; disappears by about 4 months.

Sucking reflex

Automatic sucking when something is placed in the mouth; gradually becomes voluntary sucking by around 6 months.

Palmar grasp reflex

Newborn grasp when the palm is touched; typically fades by 4–6 months.

Pincer grasp

Precise grasp using thumb and index finger; develops around 9–12 months.

Babinski reflex

Toes fan/flex when the sole is stroked; disappears by 12–24 months.

Parachute reflex

Protective extension of the arms when the infant is moved forward; persists beyond infancy.

Sensorimotor stage (Piaget)

First Piaget stage from birth to ~2 years, learning via senses and motor actions.

Preoperational stage (Piaget)

Second Piaget stage characterized by egocentrism and symbolic play; occurs roughly ages 2–7.

Concrete operational (Piaget)

Third Piaget stage with logical thinking about concrete objects; conservation concepts emerge.