Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) describes any change to frequency and/or quality of breathing pattern in newborns. Breathing rate < 60/minute (can be up to 70/min during the first hours of life and sets to around 40/min) is considered physiologic and newborn should not display any signs of increased work of breathing…
Persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA) connects aorta with main pulmonary artery (MPA) (or left pulmonary artery – LPA) and during fetal life serves as important right-left shunt => mixed blood flowing from the pulmonary artery to the descendant aorta and supplying the lower half of the body. PDA prenatally remains open due to low partial pressure…
Fetal growth is associated with intense somatic and functional changes Growth = quantitative acquisition of body weight Development = qualitative changes associated with cell and tissue differentiation of individual organ systems and their subsequent functional maturing Insulin + IGF-1 (Insulin-like growth factor 1) = main growth factors during fetal development and early postnatal…
The goal of initial care after delivery is to ensure optimal conditions for postnatal adaptation and perform initial neonatal examination: bonding (mother – newborn) => important for lactation and neurodevelopment breastfeeding (suck reflex) prevent heat loss care for the umbilical cord temperature measurement birth weight (and length) Crede procedure (preventing gonococcal conjunctivitis) medical documentation and newborn ID…
Primary prerequisite for the diagnosis of microcephaly/macrocephaly is the proper horizontal head circumference (HC) measurement (frontal-occipital circumference): supine position glabella – opisthocranion as anchor points normocephaly (32-38 cm for a term newborn) => refer to percentile graphs for your hospital, region or country percentile graphs for preterm population (Fenton graphs) sexual dimorphism…
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or chronic lung disease (CLD) is a typical disease of extremely low birth weight infants (ELBW; birth weight < 1000g) who experienced adverse lung development but were not necessarily exposed to mechanical ventilation (“new” BPD). Originally, BPD was linked to acute respiratory failure (of various origins) and prolonged mechanical…
Predominant heart rhythm in healthy newborns is sinus rhythm (variant respiratory arrhythmia). Heart rate (HR) can vary 70-190 beats per minute: depends on gestational age => the lower the gestational age, the higher the HR state of consciousness => lower HR in deep sleep concomitant medication => Caffein citrate in high doses can cause tachycardia; anaesthetics…
Breastfeeding is a natural way for infants (predominantly term) to receive nutrition and it is recommended up to 2 years of age, with almost exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months (WHO = World Health Organization). In order to reduce allergy and celiac disease (especially in families with allergies), complementary nutrition…
Birth injury is defined physical (mechanical) trauma of tissues and organs that is associated with birth (internal or external injury). Treatment is required for birth injury itself, as well as for the associated complications (perinatal asphyxia, hemorrhage and resultant anemia, hyperbilirubinemia, paresis, fractures). Risk Factors for Birth Injury Prematurity Instrumental birth (forceps,…
Perinatal asphyxia = antepartum or intrapartum hypoxia, hypercapnia and acidosis associated with organ dysfunction (predominantly ventilation, circulation and neurologic impairment) Ventilation changes Compensatory tachypnea => primary apnea => gasping => secondary apnea Gasping causes aspiration of amniotic fluid (possibly with meconium) Continued secretion (absence of reversal) through alveolar-capillary membrane => increased amount of fluid…
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