Concepts for parents of premature babies
Oxyhood
A transparent helmet that concentrates oxygen around the premature baby's head.
HMF (Human Milk Fortifier) / BPF (Breast Milk Fortifier)
A food supplement that is mixed with breast milk (equivalent to the term BMF) and provides additional calcium, phosphate, vitamins, protein, and more, to prevent rickets and other deficiencies.
Incubator
A medical device that maintains a controlled temperature and ambient oxygen and protects the premature baby from infections. The closest they've come to inventing our womb.
Anemia
Anemia – low hemoglobin/hematocrit level.
Ambo
Manual ventilation mask. Used for babies who need ventilation during the transition from the delivery/operating room to the neonatal unit or for babies whose condition suddenly deteriorates.
Apnea
A pause in breathing lasting more than 20 seconds or a shorter pause accompanied by wheezing and a drop in heart rate. A well-known phenomenon in premature babies due to the immaturity of the respiratory control center in the brain.
RDS (Respiratory Distress Syndrome)
A syndrome that describes the respiratory condition of a baby born with difficulty breathing. The syndrome manifests itself in difficulty breathing, and sometimes also cyanosis, and the baby will need respiratory support with oxygen and possibly even artificial respiration.
Blood gas test
A blood test that shows oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels.
Bilirubin
The breakdown product of red blood cells. High levels of bilirubin cause jaundice. In infants and premature babies, this is not an infectious disease.
BPD (Broncho Pulmonary Dysplasia)
A long-term lung disease resulting from a combination of prematurity, ventilatory support, and oxygen therapy. The more extreme the prematurity or the more prolonged and severe the ventilatory support, the greater the risk of the disease.
Bradycardia
Decreased heart rate. A well-known phenomenon in low-birth-weight premature babies.
Capillary gas
Filling a capillary (a thin glass tube with blood) and testing gases in a special device into which the capillary is inserted.
Chronological age
Age as counted from the date of birth (see: corrected age).
Corrected age
The age counted from the day the birth was supposed to occur.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus
A blood vessel near the heart that usually closes at birth. In premature babies, it may remain open. This condition can usually be treated with medication or surgery.
Dex DEX \ DEXTRO
Testing the blood glucose (sugar) level at the patient's bedside.
