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Glossary
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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
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A |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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facial paralysis - impairment of movement of the muscles of the face due to birth injury. |
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G |
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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 |
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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 |
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IBCLC - International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants
immunization - vaccine to prevent diseases. |
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J |
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jaundice - yellow coloring of the skin or eyes. |
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K |
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L |
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lanugo - soft, downy hair on a baby's body. |
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M |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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umbilical hernia - a weakness in the abdominal muscles. |
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V |
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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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