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There are a number of medical terms that doctors and nurses may use when discussing your baby's health. This list aims to explain the most common.

To find the term you are interested in, click on the letter it starts with:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Acidosis
An abnormally high level of acid in the blood. This can be because the lungs are not working well, because of inadequate amounts of oxygen reaching parts of the body or a combination of both.

Anaemia

Too little haemoglobin in the blood (see ‘Haemoglobin’).

Apgar score
A simple way of assessing a baby’s health immediately after birth, by scoring ‘points’ for heart rate, breathing, skin colour, tone and the baby’s reactions.

Apnoea
A temporary pause in breathing.

Apnoea of prematurity
When a baby stops breathing for a period of 20 seconds or longer. It is often seen in premature babies and is due to the immaturity of the part of the brain that controls breathing. Often the baby starts breathing on his/her own, but occasionally needs to be stimulated with a gentle shake. Caffeine is sometimes given to help stimulate the baby’s breathing. Most babies will grow out of apnoea of prematurity by the time they are around 36 weeks.

Apnoea alarms or monitors
When babies are on a ventilator, it doesn’t matter if they take a pause in their breathing. Once the ventilator has been removed, any pauses are more of a problem. CPAP can help, but babies may also be fitted with a monitor that checks that they are breathing regularly. These set off an alarm if the baby pauses for too long between two breaths. 'Apnoeic attacks' are short spells in which breathing is interrupted. These episodes often occur repeatedly.

Asphyxia
Too little oxygen and too much carbon dioxide in the blood of the foetus or baby. The most common time for asphyxia to occur is at birth.

Aspirate
This term is used in two different ways in the neonatal unit. Doctors and nurses may talk about ‘checking the aspirate’ before putting a milk feed down a nasogastric or orogastric tube. This means that a syringe is attached to the end of the feeding tube to obtain a small amount of the baby’s stomach contents. It will be tested by using a pH paper or stick to ensure that the tube is in the stomach and it is safe for feeding.

Another way in which you may hear the term 'aspirate' is when a substance other than air (eg. meconium) is inhaled into a baby’s lungs before the baby has been fully delivered. This is called meconium aspiration, which can be a serious, although rare, condition (see ‘Meconium’ and ‘Meconium aspiration’ for further information).

Audiology (hearing) tests
There are two main ways of assessing a baby’s hearing. Both involve placing earphones over the baby’s ears to deliver a series of clicks. The baby’s responses to the clicks are then analysed.

Bagging
Putting a mask connected to a squeezable bag or pressure device over the baby’s nose and mouth to help breathing.

Bilirubin
A yellow pigment in the blood that gives a yellow colouring to the skin. High levels can be dangerous.

Blood cultures
When it is suspected that a baby may have an infection, a small blood sample is collected and added to some special fluid. This is kept warm, which encourages bacteria to grow. Results are available after 48 hours. When it is known what bacteria are present, the medical team can check that the baby is on the right antibiotics.

Blood gases
This is a laboratory test to find out levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide gases and acids in the blood. The purpose is to work out how well the lungs and circulation are functioning.

Blood gas monitors
A blood sample is taken, either from an artery or from the heel of the foot. Monitoring blood gases is an essential part of the care of a sick baby. The number of gases that need to be checked depends on the problems the baby has. Monitors can be used to check that appropriate ventilation is being given, as well as measuring sodium levels in the blood.

Blood pressure
This is the pressure generated in the body's arteries by the pumping of the heart. It is often monitored in babies who are unwell. If the blood pressure is abnormally low, the baby may be treated with drugs to improve it.

Blood transfusion
This is when extra blood is given. A blood transfusion may be needed to treat severe anaemia (a lack of red blood cells), or during or after an operation.

Bradycardia
This is when the heart rate temporarily slows down. This is common in preterm babies. It is usually part of apnoea of prematurity (see above). In most cases, the baby recovers on his/her own. Occasionally, mild stimulation is needed to make the baby respond. These episodes stop after about 36 weeks’ gestation.

Breast pump
Piece of equipment that is both manual and electric, which is used for expressing breast milk

Bronchi Pulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)
See ‘Chronic lung disease’.

Candida
A yeast infection of skin and mucus membranes (mouth, digestive or genital tracts).

Cannula
A very small, short, soft plastic tube that is inserted into a baby’s vein to give fluids or medicines directly into the bloodstream without having to keep using needles. The cannula has wings that are used to secure it in place using tape. Veins in the arms and legs are usually used, although occasionally the veins in the baby’s scalp have to be used. A cannula can last for several days but can also need to be changed every few hours.

Centile charts
Graphs showing the normal ranges of body measurements at different ages.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Fluid produced within the chambers of the brain that flows down and around the spinal cord. If this flow is obstructed, the process by which the fluid is removed is defective and the pressure rises and distends the chambers within the brain, leading to hydrocephalus.

Chest drain
A tube passed through the chest wall to drain off air leaking from the lung.

Chronic lung disease (CLD)
This is a disorder of the lung that may have come about because the baby has been on a ventilator for a long time. When this happens, the baby needs more oxygen and may have difficulty breathing, which can take some time to improve. Chronic lung disease is also known as bronchi pulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

Chronological age
A baby’s age from the actual date of birth.

Cooling mattress
A cooling mattress is used for a specific condition where the brain needs to be cooled down to prevent brain damage.

Corrected age
The age a premature baby would be if he/she had been born on their due date.

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure)
A form of treatment used to help a baby’s breathing and to reduce the number of apnoeic attacks. Using a CPAP machine, the lungs are expanded by applying a small amount of pressure through small prongs just inside the nose or by a small mask over the nose. In some cases a premature baby may be on and off CPAP for several weeks.

CT scanner
This is a special type of X-ray machine that is more detailed than a normal X-ray. It is usually used to look in detail at parts of the brain.

Cyanosis
Reduced level of oxygen in the blood that makes the skin, lips and nails appear bluish.

Developmental care
Developmental care is all about making the baby’s surroundings as free of stress as possible. This is done in several ways: reducing the amount of light and noise that the baby is exposed to; in some cases covering the incubator with a sheet or specially-made cover; creating a ‘nest’ in which to nurse a baby, which makes them feel more comfortable and secure; reducing disruption to the baby; infant massage; parent involvement in caring for their baby on the unit – for example Kangaroo Care.

Donor Breast Milk (DBM)

Milk donated by a mother for use when a baby requires breast milk and own mothers supply is not yet established

Dysmorphic
This term is used when the doctors and nurses see some features in a baby that might not be normal. In many cases, however, the features turn out to be normal and are of no concern. If there is a problem, a number of tests will be carried out and, if necessary, other specialists may be asked to look at your baby and give an opinion.

Drip
When fluids or blood are passed into a vein or artery using a needle or plastic tube.

ECG (electrocardiogram)
Graph showing the heart’s electrical activity.

EEG (electroencephalogram)
Graph showing the brain’s electrical activity.

ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation)
This machine gives the blood oxygen from outside the body. It is used when treatment with a ventilator has not worked on babies with heart and lung problems.

Electrolytes
Essential substances in the body that, when dissolved, produce solutions able to conduct electric current (for example table salt, sodium chloride or potassium chloride).

Endotracheal tube (ET Tube)
Soft plastic tube inserted through the mouth or nose to the windpipe (trachea), which in turn is attached to a ventilator to help breathing. It is sometimes referred to as a ‘tracheal tube’ by anaesthetists.

Exchange transfusion
Replacing the baby’s blood with blood from an adult donor.

Expressed breast milk (EBM)
Expressing breast milk means to use a pump, hands or both to obtain milk from the mum’s breasts. The milk can be stored in a freezer or given directly to the baby.

Extremely low birthweight
A baby born weighing less than 1000g.

Extubate
Removing the endotracheal tube (see above) from the windpipe.

Fontanelle
Soft spots on a baby’s head that disappear by 18 months as the bones grow together.

Gases and Gas monitor
See ‘Blood gases’ and ‘Blood gas monitor’.

Gestational age
The number of weeks the baby has been in the womb is known as the gestation. A term baby is one who is born after 37 full weeks in the womb but before 42 weeks. If born before 37 weeks, then the baby is premature or preterm. To work out the expected delivery date (EDD) of your baby, count from the first day of your last period and add on 40 weeks.

Glucose monitor
This is a machine that can measure the amount of glucose (sugars) in the blood.

Grunting
The noise made by a baby with breathing difficulty.

Haemoglobin
Carries oxygen around the body. It is contained in the red blood cells.

Head box
Plastic box placed over a baby’s head to allow accurate control of oxygen delivery.

Head circumference
Measurement of the maximum distance around the baby’s head.

Heat shield
Clear plastic shell placed over the baby to prevent heat loss.

High frequency oscillatory ventilation
A very different type of ventilator that may be used is called a ‘high frequency oscillator’. Whereas with most ventilators you can see the baby’s chest rise and fall at the breathing rate that has been set, oscillators use very fast rates of 600-1200 per minute, so the baby’s chest vibrates. This may look alarming, but this type of ventilation works extremely well for some of the lung conditions that babies may get.

Humidity
To prevent premature babies losing too much water through their skin, they are often nursed in warm, humidified incubators. Humidity (water) is also added to the gases the baby breathes through the ventilator.

Hyaline membrane disease (HMD)
A breathing problem in which the lungs tend to collapse instead of staying filled with air. This is also known as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Hydrocephalus
When too much ‘cerebrospinal’ fluid accumulates inside the chambers of the brain. The increased pressure within the brain may cause a rapid increase in head size.

Hypocalcaemia
A lower than normal level of blood calcium.

Hypoglycaemia
Abnormally low blood glucose level.

Hypothermia
When the body temperature drops below 35.5°C (95°F).

Hypoxia
Abnormally low amount of oxygen in the body tissues.

Incubator
An incubator is a heated bed covered by a clear plastic box that allows the baby to be kept warm without clothes so that they can be monitored very closely. Extra oxygen can be run into the incubator if needed. The levels of oxygen can be very closely controlled and monitored.

Incubator cover
This is a special cover that is made to fit over an incubator to shield the baby from light and noise.

Infusion pump
An infusion pump is like a syringe that provides fluids, medicine or nutrients directly into the blood. These can be given over a set period of time.

Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (IMV)
This is when an infant is partly helped to breathe by a ventilator, but can still take its own spontaneous breath.

Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation (IPPV)
A way of helping breathing mechanically.

Intra-Ventricular Haemorrhage (IVH)
This is a problem that affects babies born prematurely where there is bleeding into the ventricles of the brain. An IVH can be serious but in many cases it causes no long-term problems. IVHs are graded 1-4, according to their size, and are detected on an ultrasound scan. Grade 1 bleeds are quite common in premature babies and have no long-term consequences. Grade 4 bleeds (the most severe) involves bleeding into the brain tissue itself and may have consequences for the baby’s future development.

Intravenous (IV) lines
IV lines are the fine tubes that are sometimes inserted into a blood vessel - usually in a hand, foot, arm or leg - in order to give fluid or medicine directly.

Intravenous (IV) nutrition
A way of supplying all the most vital nutrients directly into the blood by using a central line or via a plastic tube into a peripheral vein.

Jaundice
Yellowness of the skin/whites of the eyes caused by a raised level of bilirubin in the blood. It is very common in babies and is caused by the normal breakdown of the baby’s red blood cells. However, high levels can be dangerous and phototherapy (shining blue light onto the baby’s skin) may be required.

Jejunal feeding
Introducing milk, using a special soft tube, directly into the jejunum (part of the small intestine).

Long line
This is the line that is passed into a vein in the arm, leg or scalp, with the end of the line lying close to the heart. These lines are used to give the baby feeds directly into a vein when the starting of milk feeds has to be delayed.

Low Birth Weight (LBW)
Babies are considered to have low birth weight if they are less than 2500g, very low birth weight (VLBW) if they are less than 1500g and extremely low birthweight if they are less than 1000g.

Lumbar Puncture (LP) or Lumbar tap
If there is evidence of a severe infection, doctors may want to take a sample of the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord. This fluid flows down from the brain, so analysing it should show whether the infection is present in this vital part of the nervous system. A small needle is used, and a doctor will insert this between two bones low in the baby’s back. While many important nerves run through the spine, they will not be damaged because these nerves are higher than the level where this needle is placed. A local anaesthetic is often used to reduce any discomfort for the baby.

Meconium
Dark greenish material that builds up in the baby’s digestive system before birth. It usually starts being passed as bowel movements within 24 hours of birth.

Meconium aspiration
A baby who becomes distressed before delivery may pass meconium (the dark greenish material described above) while he or she is still in the womb. If the baby then inhales the fluid in which he or she is ‘floating’, the sticky material partially blocks the airways, causing breathing difficulties around the time that the baby is born.

Morphine
This drug is used to reduce the discomfort and stress that babies may experience from some of the necessary treatments being given. It can reduce their own breathing, and so is usually reduced or stopped when a baby is taken off a ventilator. If a baby has needed it for quite a long time, they may become jittery when it is stopped, due to the effects of drug withdrawal.

MRI scans
An increasing number of neonatal units have access to MRI scanners. These can give very useful computer-generated pictures of the organs inside a baby without harming him or her. If your baby has an MRI scan, he or she will be placed in a special incubator that keeps him or her safe and warm while inside the scanner. MRI images are extremely useful for assessing the extent of any brain damage and give useful information on the way that the brain is maturing. In most hospitals, the MRI unit is a distance from the neonatal unit, so the baby may need to be in a stable condition for this investigation to be possible.

Nasal cannula
Small tube used to give a baby oxygen.

Nasogastric feeds (NG feeds)
Feeding using a fine, soft tube (nasogastric tube) passed through the nose or mouth into the stomach.

Nasogastric tube
This is a long, thin, soft plastic tube that is passed via a baby’s nose into his/her stomach. This tube is used to give milk to a baby until he/she is strong enough to take milk from the breast or a bottle. Sometimes the tube is passed through the mouth and into the stomach.

Neonate
The first four weeks of a baby’s life (up to 28 days).

Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC)
This occurs when a section of the wall of the intestine is swollen or inflamed because of damage to the lining. It is often linked to a period in which the blood flow to the gut wall has been reduced. The abdomen may swell up, and blood is passed through the bowels. Air penetrates the wall of the digestive tract. Sometimes, though rarely, the hole may form a perforation in the gut wall and need surgery.

NICU
Neonatal intensive care unit.

Nitric oxide
This is normally produced in the body to relax blood vessels and so improves blood flow to all parts of the body. When the blood vessels to the lungs remain narrowed, nitric oxide is sometimes given in the inhaled air and oxygen to cause them to relax and allow blood flow to the lungs.

NNU
Neonatal unit.

Oedema
Swelling caused by too much fluid in the tissues under the skin.

Open cots
Once a baby can regulate his or her own body temperature, he or she can be transferred from an incubator into an open cot (a cot without a roof).

Orogastric tube (OGT)

A fine tube passed through the mouth and into the stomach. It is used to give milk to the baby.

Oscillator
A high frequency oscillator is a breathing device (ventilator) that delivers very rapid breaths at a low pressure into the baby’s lungs. This can reduce the amount of damage to an infant’s fragile lungs compared to a conventional ventilator.

Oxygen saturation
This is measured by determining the pinkness of the blood as it flows through the hand or foot of the baby. A drop in the baby’s blood oxygen level can be immediately detected as an episode of ‘desaturation’ (desats) and the alarm will alert the baby’s nurse when it occurs. If the baby is moving around a lot, this can interfere with the oxygen measurement and cause falsely low measurement/saturation levels.

Parenteral nutrition
This is the process of given nutrition directly into the bloodstream. It is often referred to as TPN or total parenteral nutrition. The solutions contain sugars, proteins, fats and vitamins – everything the baby needs to grow. Parenteral feeding solutions are often given through a central line, also known as a long line.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
The most common problem for very premature babies is that a small connection between the vessels supplying the lungs with blood and the vessels supplying blood to the body remains open. Doctors call this patent ductus arteriosus

PEEP (positive end expiratory pressure)
Pressure applied during breathing out. This helps to prevent the lungs from collapsing while the baby is on the ventilator.

Periodic breathing
When pauses of up to 10 seconds take place in the baby’s breathing.

Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL)
If parts of the developing brain are deprived of oxygen and blood flow for too long, the brain cells may die and be replaced by fluid cysts. These can be seen in ultrasound scans of a baby’s brain. Depending on the area affected, PVL may indicate future developmental problems.

Persistent foetal circulation
Before birth, the blood vessels of the lung are narrow. If the blood vessels do not relax after birth, blood flow to the lungs is reduced. Oxygen, and sometimes drugs, are given to open the narrow vessels.

pH
This is about the acidity (low value) or alkalinity (raised value) of the blood. A value close to 7.4 is normal for arterial blood.

Phototherapy
Using blue (not ultraviolet) light to reduce the bilirubin level (also see ‘Jaundice’).

Physiotherapy
Special exercises to improve or relieve physical problems.

Pneumothorax
When there is air between the lung and chest wall if a lung has leaked air.

Posset
When the baby spits up a small amount of milk after feeding.

Pre-eclampsia
This occurs in about one in 14 pregnancies and causes around a third of all premature births. It can be dangerous, particularly if it develops rapidly. The main symptoms are headaches and swollen feet, which are associated with high blood pressure. Although bed-rest can help, the only way to stop pre-eclampsia is to deliver the baby early.

Preterm baby
A baby born before reaching 37 complete weeks in the womb is premature.

Pulse oximeter
Also known as a saturation monitor. This is used to monitor the amount of oxygen in the baby’s blood. It is very sensitive and often sounds an alarm even though the baby may be OK. It works by shining red light through the hand or foot. From the amount of light absorbed, the oxygen levels can be established.

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)
RDS is a breathing problem that preterm babies can develop. It occurs because of a lack of surfactant in the lungs. The baby appears to breathe quickly (tachypnoea) and the chest appears to be sucked in when the baby breathes. Oxygen is often needed and the baby may need help with breathing (using ventilation and CPAP). RDS is sometimes known as 'hyaline membrane disease'.

Resuscitate
This is to revive from death or unconsciousness by providing first aid procedures.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)
Damage to the retina area of the eye that is sensitive to light. It is usually linked to the amount of oxygen in the blood reaching the retina and is prevalent in the most premature babies (less than 28 weeks). These babies are routinely checked for retinopathy of prematurity.

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)
This virus causes cold-like symptoms and affects a large proportion of all babies. RSV can cause breathing difficulties if the lungs are affected. If your baby was born prematurely, is prone to getting lung infections or was born with a congenital heart problem, he or she could be at greater risk of being made more seriously ill if infected with RSV. Very high risk babies might be given injections as a preventative measure.

Saturation monitor
See ‘Pulse oximeter’.

Scans
The scan machine used is similar to that used to scan mothers during pregnancy. The most common scan is of the head. This is done with a small probe on the fontanelle (the soft spot on top of the baby’s head). There can be many reasons for doing scans, but usually it will be to check the preterm baby, as they are at risk of bleeding into the brain. Other parts of the body that may need scanning are usually the abdomen or the heart. A scan of the heart is often called an echocardiograph, shortened to an ‘echo’.

SCBU
Special care baby unit.

Small for gestational age (SGA)
A baby whose birth weight is lower than that of 90% of babies of the same gestational age.

Sleep study
This is a test done on babies who have been on oxygen for a long time and is often performed a short time before the baby is due to go home. The test establishes whether the baby can keep his or her own oxygen levels in a safe range. If the baby is to go home on oxygen, then the test is used to set the amount of oxygen that the baby will need. Usually the sleep study will take place over a period of 12 hours and must include a period when the baby is in quiet sleep, as this is the time that the body’s oxygen levels are at their lowest.

Steroids
Steroids (or corticosteriods) are given antenatally to mothers where the birth seems likely to occur early. The drug crosses the placenta and causes the baby’s lungs to mature for breathing. In babies with chronic lung disease, it may be difficult for the baby to come off mechanical ventilatory support. Low doses of steroids may be given to reduce any inflammation in the lung. Repeated courses of steroids are now usually avoided because there is concern that they may be contributing to some of the developmental problems occurring later in some of these babies’ lives.

Surfactant
A mixture of chemicals that prevent the lungs from collapsing when the baby breathes out. Production of surfactant in the lungs starts at about 24 weeks but is not well developed before 36 weeks’ gestation. This can be the cause of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS – see above). Replacement surfactant can be given as a liquid into the lungs of the premature baby.

Syringe driver
A syringe driver is used to gradually and continuously give small amounts of fluids (with or without medication) to patients.

Tachycardia
Rapid heart beat.

Tachypnoea
Rapid breathing rate.

Temperature skin probe
This is a small device that is placed on the skin to measure the baby’s temperature.

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
See 'Parenteral Nutrition'.

Transcutaneous monitors
This is a monitoring device that is placed on the skin to measure the blood oxygen levels.

Transport incubators
This is a specialised incubator that is used if the baby needs to be transferred to another hospital.

Tube feeding
Tube feeding is when the baby is fed through a small, fine tube that runs from the nose or mouth directly into the stomach. It is mainly used when a baby is very sick and is unable to feed naturally.

Ultrasound scan
See ‘Scans’ above.

Umbilical catheter
A plastic tube inserted through one of the two umbilical arteries. It is used to take blood samples that will be analysed. Some catheters have a special device that monitors the amount of oxygen there is in the blood.

Ventilation
Ventilation is mechanical support with breathing, so that the baby will be able to have normal levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in their blood when unable to achieve them for him/herself.

Very low birth weight (VLBW)
A baby born that is less than 1500g.

Vital signs monitor
This is a monitor that measures vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation levels.

Vitamin K
A naturally-occurring vitamin that is important for the clotting of blood. Newborn babies often lack sufficient vitamin K and are therefore given it to prevent them from developing a tendency to bleed.

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