3: Neonates

Question 1

Pneumothorax

Answer 1

alveoli in baby’s lungs over inflate and burst

Question 2

Apnoea monitoring

Answer 2

• Transthoracic impedance measurement- R increases during inspiration, drops in voltage detected
• Movement of infant
• Movement of infant’s chest
• Nasal thermistor

Question 3

Monitoring blood gases

Answer 3

• O2 sat measured by pulse oximetry

* pO2 and pCO2 by blood gas analyser or transcutaneous measurement

Question 4

Temperature regulation

Answer 4

• premature neonates generally unable to regulate temp and susceptible to resp issues
• warm, controlled environment minimises O2 requirements
• baby doesn’t have to spend energy keeping warm, growth is therefore improved

Question 5

Radiant warmers

Answer 5

• Work by IR radiation

* Easy access, side panels

Question 6

Closed incubators

Answer 6

• Stable temp control
• Uniform heat dist
• Humidification- hot air directed over water bath
• Isolation from airborne contaminants
• Control of O2 concentrations

Question 7

Doubled wall incubators

Answer 7

• Warmed air from heater flows between inner and outer
• No direct flow on infant
• Inner wall radiates heat to infant
• Less dehydration through evaporation
• Heat loss from infant reduced

Question 8

Phototherapy

Answer 8

• Unborn baby produces excess RBC’s after birth- broken down to bilirubin
• Excess bilirubin leads to jaundice
• Phototherapy transforms bilirubin structure to make secretion easier
• Utilises UV light
• Bili-bed or bili-blanket