Neonatal examination

Neonatal examination

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…

Definitions

Definitions

Neonatal definitions are important in relation to categorization of infants into segments that carry a certain risk of associated morbidities. Newborns can be stratified based on Birth weight (BW), Gestational age (GA) and their relationship: Gestational age preterm newborns (< 37+0) term newborn (37+0 to 41+6) postterm newborn (> 41+6)…

Postnatal resuscitation

Postnatal resuscitation

Perinatal asphyxia remains one of the most common indications for postnatal resuscitation. The necessary prerequisites for successful resuscitation are properly equipped rooms (delivery suite, neonatal wards with the right and functional equipment; warmed up to the temperature of 26 °C) with properly trained personnel. Ventilation (and circulation dysfunction) are indications to initiate resuscitation…

Prematurity

Prematurity

Preterm birth is defined as any birth before 37 completed weeks of gestation (37+0). It has been estimated to account for up to 11 % of all births. Preterm birth is a substantial cause of neonatal and pediatric morbidity and mortality. Prematurity is the single most important cause of death in the…

Postnatal adaptation

Postnatal adaptation

Postnatal adaptation is a complex process that involves multiple adaptive changes within several organ systems. For successful transition from intrauterine to extrauterine environment, relatively rapid conversion to air breathing and blood flow changes (especially in pulmonary vascular system) must occur simultaneously. Spontaneous breathing causes water in lungs to be resorbed into blood and lymphatic vessels,…

Retinopathy of prematurity

Retinopathy of prematurity

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative disorder (fibrovascular proliferation) of developing retina in preterm infants. It is characterised by disorganized growth of abnormal new blood vessels (=> hemorrhage) and fibrous tissue ( => contracted scar tissue causing retinal detachment). Incidence of ROP is inversely proportional to the gestational age (general ROP screening…

Disorders of sex development

Disorders of sex development

Disorders of sex development (DSD) were previously called intersex, incidence is approximately 1:5000 of live births. DSD encompass inadequate production of sex hormones, inappropriate hormonal functioning and gonad developmental anomalies. There is an increased risk of other associated anomalies and gonadal tumors. The patients may require surgery or hormone replacement therapy. Apart from clinical examination and imaging…