NICU jargon buster

Glossary of terms

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The world of neonatal intensive care has a language all of its own Here are some of the common medical terms and abbreviations If your baby's nurse or doctor uses a term that you don't understand, please ask.

Acids - substance that helps in the breakdown of food for the digestive process.

Alveoli - are the thousands of tiny sacs, which make the 'spongy' tissue of our lungs Oxygen passes through its very thin wall and into the bloodstream whilst carbon dioxide passes from the bloodstream, into the alveoli and is breathed out.

Anaemia - a condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells.

Anaesthetic - used to temporarily reduce or take away sensation and pain.

Analgesics - drugs used to relieve pain.

Antibiotics - drugs used to treat infections caused by bacteria.

Anticonvulsant - a drug given to stop or prevent convulsions or seizures.

Aorta - the large artery rising out of the left ventricle of the heart and supplying blood to all the body.

Apnoea - short period of time when a baby stops breathing The baby may turn blue, become bradycardic and require gentle stimulation to remind them to breathe.

Apnoea alarm - an alarm used to detect cessation of respiration for more than 20 seconds.

Arterial line - a thin catheter inserted into an artery It is used to continuously monitor the blood pressure and to obtain samples for arterial blood gas measurements.

Audiologist - a health professional specialising in the sense of hearing.

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Barotrauma - Damage to the lungs in babies on a mechanical ventilator.

Benzylpeniciilin - a common antibiotic.

Bile - a fluid that is secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder; used in the digestion and absorption of fat.

Bilirubin - one of the waste products left over from the break down of red blood cells in the body. Bilirubin is usually removed from the body in the urine and in the stools, after it has been processed by the liver. The liver of the newborn baby is a little slow to process bilirubin. Sometimes leading to a build up of bilirubin which is seen as jaundice.

Blood gas - a blood test looking at levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.

Blood pressure - refers to the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, and constitutes one of the principal vital signs.

Blood transfusion - donor blood given into a vein due to anaemia, blood loss, trauma or sepsis.

Bradycardia (brady) - when baby's heart rate drops below the normal range for the baby’s gestation.

Blood glucose - the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.

Bone marrow - soft jellylike substance in the center of a bone that produces blood cells for the body.

Bronchi - main branch of the trachea (windpipe) that leads directly to the lungs.

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Cannula - a hollow tube usually inserted into a vein by which fluids can be administered.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) - gas formed formed during respiration; given off from the lungs.

Cardiac Monitor Used to measure the baby's heart rate.

Cardiologist - a medically qualified person skilled in the diagnosis of heart disease.

Cardiovascular system - the heart and blood vessels.

Cerebral palsy - condition caused by injury to the brain during or immediately after birth affecting movement.

Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) - fluid around the brain and spinal cord.

Chronic lung disease - difficulty with breathing & dependence on oxygen following a period of ventilation, common in very premature infants.

Cleft lip - a congenital fissure in the upper lip.

Cleft palate - a congenital defect in the roof of the mouth.

Colostomy - an artificial opening in the large intestine brought to the surface of the abdomen to evacuate the bowel.

Colostrum - high protein fluid secreted by the breasts 3- 4 days after delivery.

Corneas - transparent outer coat of the eyeball

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) - resuscitation to re-establish breathing and the heart rate.

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) - ventilatory assistance to hold open the lungs at the end of each breath to ease the work of breathing.

Cyanosis - bluish appearance of the skin caused by lack of oxygen in the blood.

Cystic fibrosis - hereditary disorder associated with accumulation of thick mucus.

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DBM - donor breast milk.

Developmental Care - see Developmental Care.

Diaphragm -muscle that separates the abdominal and thoracic cavities; helps in breathing.

Diaphragmatic hernia - a protrusion of the part of the abdominal organs through the diaphragm restricting adequate lung growth.

Digestion - process by which food is changed into substances that can be absorbed and used by the body.

Diuretic - medication given to increase the amount of urine produced.

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EBM - expressed breast milk.

ECG (electrocardiogram) - tracing of the electrical activity of the heart obtained by putting pads on a baby's chest and connecting them to a special machine.

EEG (electroencephalogram) - tracing of electrical activity of the brain.

Electrolytes - chemicals, such as calcium, sodium and potassium, in blood which help the body to function. Electrolyte levels are monitored, by taking blood tests, so that any imbalances can be corrected.

Encephalitis - inflammation of the brain.

Endocarditis - inflammation of the lining of the heart or heart valves.

Endotracheal - within the tracheal or wind pipe.

Endotracheal Tube (ETT) - tube placed through either the baby's mouth or nose into the trachea (windpipe).

Enteral feeding - feeding via the mouth or a naso-gastric tube.

Enzyme -chemical that helps to break down and digest food.

Exomphalus - herniation of some or all of the abdominal contents of the umbilical cord.

Extremely low birth weight - babies born weighing less than 1000g (2lbs).

Extremely premature - babies born between 23 and 28 weeks in the womb.

Extubation - removal of the endotracheal or breathing tube.

Eyelid speculum - device to hold open the eyelids.

Fontanelle - the soft part of the top of an infant's skull.

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Gastroschisis - defect in the abdominal wall leading to protrusion of the abdominal contents.

Gastrostomy - the creation of an opening into the stomach for administration of foods or liquids.

Gentamicin - a common antibiotic.

Gestation - the time a baby spends in the womb.

Grams (gms) - metric unit of weight: 450 grams = 1 pound, 1 kilogram (kg) = 1000 grams.

Grunting - the noise a newborn baby may make if he is experiencing some difficulty with breathing.

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Haemolytic disease - disease causing breakdown of red blood cells.

Head box - perspex hood placed over the baby's head as a method of giving them oxygen.

Head scans - ultra sound examination carried out regularly to look at the brain development and any signs of damage to the brain.

Heart Rate - the rate at which the heart beats per minute.

Haemorrhage - bleeding.

Hepatitis - inflammation of the liver.

Hickman line - a central venous line used for long term access to administrate medication and nutrition..

High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation (HFOV) - type of ventilation that gently vibrates the baby's chest and delivers hundreds of tiny breaths per minute to hold the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs open.

Humidity - extra moisture added to the air inside the incubator to minimise heat loss in babies of less than 30 weeks gestation This added humidity can make the incubator look 'steamed up'.

Hyaline Membrane Disease (HMD) - another name for Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Hydrocephalus- water on the brain.

Hydrops- baby that is swollen with fluid.

Hypertension - high blood pressure.

Hyperthermia - high body temperature.

Hyperglycaemia - blood glucose levels of 7-8 mmol/L and above.

Hypoglycaemia - blood glucose levels of 2.6 mmol/L and below.

Hypotension - low blood pressure.

Hypothermia - low body temperature.

Hypoxia - lack of oxygen to the tissues.

Ileostomy - an artificial opening created in the ileum and brought to the surface of the abdomen for the purpose of bowel evacuation.

Infusion - refers to fluid or drugs that are given directly into a blood vessel.

Insulin - a protein hormone released naturally when a rise in blood glucose level is detected.

Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (IMV) - a form of ventilation where a set number of breaths is given per minute by the ventilator.

Intra cranial haemorrhage - bleeding into the substance of the brain.

Intraventricular Haemorrhage (IVH) - bleeding into the ventricles of the brain.

Ischaemia - local decrease in blood supply, due to obstruction of arterial blood flow or to vasoconstriction (spasm of the artery).

IUGR/growth retardation - babies born too small for their gestational age.

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Jaundice - causes the skin to turn a yellowish colour. Caused by the increased breakdown of red blood cells in the body and a build up of bilirubin.

Kangaroo care - (also known as skin to skin contact) is a way of holding your baby close to your skin.

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Laparotomy - surgical exploration of the abdomen.

Long Line - tiny catheter threaded into a deep vein to give long term fluids or intravenous nutrition.

Lumbar Puncture (LP) - procedure where a sample of spinal fluid is obtained.

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Meningitis - inflammation of the surface of the brain.

Muscle relaxant - a drug which affects skeletal muscle function and decreases muscle tone It may be used to alleviate muscle spasm and to assist intubation and ventilation.

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Nasal prong - small tube inserted into the baby's nostrils to deliver oxygen.

Naso Gastric Tube (NGT) - feeding tube which goes from the baby's nose to the stomach.

NBM Nothing By Mouth.

Necrotising enterocolitis - serious intestinal disorder causing bleeding into the gut, sepsis and occasionally perforation of the gut and peritonitis.

O2 Oxygen.

Oedema - excessive amounts of fluid on the body tissue.

Oesophagus - muscular tube for the passage of food from the mouth to the stomach.

Ophthalmologist - a specialist in diseases of the eye.

Oro Gastric Tube (OGT) - feeding tube going from the baby's mouth to stomach.

Pancreatic juice - clear, alkaline secretion of the pancreas containing enzymes that aid in the digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

Parenteral - the administration of fluids other than via the stomach, eg through a vein.

Patent Ductus Arterious (PDA) - persistence of the fetal connection between the aorta and the pulmonary artery.

Peristalsis - wavelike muscular contractions that help to move food down the digestive system

Periventricular Leucomalacia (PVL) - cystic areas in the brain.

Phototherapy - ultra violet light that is used to treat babies who have jaundice.

Pneumothorax - condition in which air or some other gas collects between the chest and the lung.

Pneumonia - infection of the lung, or part of the lung.

Possett - regurgitation of a small amount of milk.

PPHN (Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn) - when a baby fails to adapt properly to life outside of the womb, resulting in decreased blood flow to the lungs.

Premature birth - a birth that takes place before 37 weeks of gestation have passed.

Prone - when a baby lies on his tummy.

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Radiographer - a professional healthcare worker specialising in x- rays.

Reflux - backward flow of food from the stomach to the mouth.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) - disorder of blood vessel formation in the back of eye of preterm babies.

Respiration - process by which the body's cells use oxygen in order to break down nutrients and supply the body with energy.

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) - breathing difficulties that require mechanical assistance.

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Saturation (SaO2) - measurement of the level of oxygen in the blood.

Serum Bilirubin Level - level of jaundice in the blood.

Sputum - Saliva together with mucus coughed up from the airways.

Stoma - temporary opening in the abdominal wall that allows the end of the small (ileostomy) or large intestine (colostomy) to be brought through the abdomen and fastened onto the surface of the skin. This enables waste materials from the intestines to pass through the stoma and empty into a bag called an ileostomy or colostomy bag.

Suctioning - process where secretions are removed from a baby's mouth or nose or via the Endotracheal Tube (ETT).

Surfactant - a drug given directly into the lungs to increase the elasticity of the lung tissue.

Synchronised Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (SIMV) - type of ventilation where the ventilator breaths are timed to the baby's breathing pattern.

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Tachycardia - faster than normal heart rate.

Tachypnoea - faster than normal breathing rate.

Temperature - a degree of hotness or coldness the can be measured using a thermometer.

Term - baby that has spent between 37 and 41 weeks in the womb.

Thrombus/thrombosis - blood clot.

Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) - nutrition given intravenously.

TPR - temperature, Pulse and Respiration.

Trachea - tube that joins the bronchi to the lungs.

Tracheostomy - a surgical opening in the windpipe.

TTN -Transient Tachypnoea of the newborn resulting in fast breathing in the newborn period.

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UAC (Umbilical Artery Catheter) - A small tube passed into the umbilical artery that is used to monitor blood pressure and to take blood samples.

Ultrasound - ultrasonic waves used to examine the interior organs of the body.

UVC - Umbilical Venous Catheter. A small tube passed into the umbilical vein, used to administer fluids and antibiotics.

Ventilator - a life support machine that maintains a baby's breathing.

Ventricle - a small cavity, such as the lower chambers of the heart and the four cavities of the brain.

Very Low Birth Weight - babies born weighing less than 1500g (3lbs).

X-Rays - are images taken to examine parts of your babys body. X-rays taken in the NICU are mainly used to view your babys lungs and abdomen.

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