Newborn Care Glossary

	Glossary
	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
	A
	acne neonatorum (baby acne) - pimples on newborn skin common in the first month. Apgar test - A scoring system to evaluate the condition of the newborn immediately after birth. areola - the pigmented (darkened) ring around each nipple.
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	B
	bilirubin - substance formed by the liver from the breakdown of red blood cells. biotinidase deficiency - an inherited disorder characterized by a deficiency of the biotinidase enzyme needed to metabolize a B vitamin. bonding - process of falling in love with a newborn baby. brachial palsy - birth injury to the nerves that supplies the arms and hands.
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	C
	candidiasis - a fungal (yeast) infection, often in the mouth, called thrush, or in the diaper area. caput - a severe swelling of the soft tissues of the baby's scalp that develops as the baby travels through the birth canal. cephalohematoma - an area of bleeding underneath one of the cranial bones that appears as a raised lump on the baby's head. circumcision - a surgical procedure to remove the skin covering the end of the penis. cleft lip or cleft palate - birth abnormalities of the mouth and lip. clubfoot - a foot deformity of newborns. colic - a condition in an otherwise healthy baby characterized by excessive crying. cyanosis - a blue coloring of the skin.
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	D
	developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) - a condition of the hip joint when the hip bones move partially or completely out of the hip socket. diaper rash - an irritation of the skin in the diaper area.
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	E
	erythema toxicum - a common red rash on the skin of newborns. eye prophylaxis - eye drops or ointment containing an antibiotic medication that are placed in a newborn's eyes.
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	F
	facial paralysis - impairment of movement of the muscles of the face due to birth injury.
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	G
	galactosemia - an inherited disorder in which the baby is unable to metabolize galactose, a milk sugar. grunting - a sound made by a baby who is having difficulty breathing.
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	H
	harlequin color change - a normal change in a newborn baby's color due to immaturity of the circulation. homocystinuria - an inherited disorder caused by a deficiency of an enzyme necessary to digest an amino acid. hyperbilirubinemia - the build-up of bilirubin in the blood. hypoglycemia - a condition in which the amount of blood glucose (sugar) is lower than normal. hypospadias - a birth defect in which the male urethral (urine tube) opening is not located at the tip of the penis. hypothyroidism - a condition in which the baby is born with too little thyroid hormone.
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	I
	IBCLC - International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants immunization - vaccine to prevent diseases.
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	J
	jaundice - yellow coloring of the skin or eyes.
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	K
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	L
	lanugo - soft, downy hair on a baby's body.
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	M
	maple syrup urine disease - an inherited disorder caused by an inability of the body to properly process certain parts of protein called amino acids. meconium - a sticky, greenish-black substance that forms in the intestines during fetal development and is the first bowel movement of a newborn. milia - tiny, white, hard spots that look like pimples on a newborn's nose. mongolian spots - blue or purple-colored splotches on the baby's lower back and buttocks common in dark-skinned babies. Moro reflex - Movement of arms and legs that occurs when a newborn is startled by a loud sound or movement. moulding - elongation of the shape of a baby's head due to delivery through the birth canal.
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	N
	neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) - a special care nursery that uses advanced technology and trained health professionals to care for sick and premature newborns.
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	O
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	P
	phenylketonuria (PKU) - an inherited disease in which the body cannot metabolize a protein called phenylalanine. phototherapy - special lights used to treat jaundice. port wine stain - a flat, pink, red, or purple colored birthmark.
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	Q
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	R
	reflux - when stomach contents back up into the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach). REM (rapid eye movement) sleep - this is a light sleep when dreams occur and the eyes move rapidly back and forth. retracting - when the baby is pulling the chest in at the ribs with breathing. rooming-in - when mothers and newborns remain together in the same room through the hospital stay. rooting - when a newborn turns his/her head toward touch near the mouth.
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	S
	sickle cell disease - an inherited disorder that occurs primarily in African-Americans and causes a severe form of anemia. stork bite or salmon patch - small pink or red patches often found on a baby's eyelids, between the eyes, upper lip, and back of the neck. strawberry hemangioma - a bright or dark red, raised or swollen, bumpy area on the skin of a baby or child. subconjunctival hemorrhage - the breakage of small blood vessels in the eyes of a baby. sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) - unexplained, sudden death of an infant up to 1 year of age.
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	T
	thrush - a yeast infection in the mouth and throat of babies. transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) - a term for a mild respiratory problem of babies that begins after birth and lasts about three days. tyrosinemia - an inherited disorder that causes severe liver disease in infancy.
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	U
	umbilical hernia - a weakness in the abdominal muscles.
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	V
	vernix - a white, greasy, cheese-like substance that covers the skin of many babies at birth. vitamin K - an essential component of blood clotting produced by intestinal bacteria. Babies normally have low levels of this vitamin.
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	W
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	X
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	Y
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	Z
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