Glossary of Helpful NICU Terms
A&B spells: Apneas and bradycardia spells with a heart rate less than 100 beats per minute and no breathing for 15 to 20 seconds. See Apnea and Bradycardia.
AGA: Appropriate for gestational age - a baby who weights between the 10th and 90th percentile for gestational age. See SGA and LGA.
Apnea: Lack of breathing for more than 15 to 20 seconds. See Bradycardia and A&B spells.
Bilirubin: A waste product produced when red blood cells break down. This may cause a yellowing of the skin called jaundice.
Blood gas: A test to determine the oxygen, carbon dioxide and acid content of a blood sample.
Blood glucose test strip: A test to measure blood sugar or glucose level.
Bradycardia: Slower-than-normal heart rate (less than 100 beats per minute). See Apnea and A&B spells.
Charge nurse: The registered nurse (RN) in the unit in charge of nursing care for that shift.
Corrected age: The age a premature baby would be if the baby had been born on his or her due date.
Echocardiogram: A picture of the heart produced by the echo of ultrasound waves directed through the chest. This is a painless, non-invasive procedure.
ETT: An endotracheal tube which is placed into the baby's trachea (windpipe) to allow delivery of air and oxygen to the lungs.
Full-term infant: A baby born at 37 weeks gestation, or older.
Gestational age: A baby's age in weeks from the first day of the mother's last menstrual period before conception until the baby reaches 40 weeks.
Gram: The basic unit of weight in the metric system. There are 28 grams in one ounce. See Kilogram.
Heel stick: The procedure of pricking the baby's heel to obtain small amounts of blood for testing.
Isolette: An incubator, an enclosed, heated bed. See Warming table.
IV: Intravenous catheter or needle placed in a baby's hand, arm, foot, leg or scalp vein to infuse fluids and/or medications. Babies' veins are very fragile, so the location of the IV may need to be changed frequently.
Kilogram (Kg): A unit of weight in the metric system. One Kg equals 1,000 grams or 2.2 pounds. See Gram.
Lead wires: Wires that lead from electrode patches on the baby's chest to the monitor.
LGA: Large for Gestational Age, that is, a baby who weighs greater than the 90th percentile gestational age. See AGA and SGA.
Monitor: A machine that records heart rate, respiration and blood pressure.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner: An RN who has received a masters degree in nursing and is qualified to provide certain aspects of a baby's medical care under the supervision of a medical health care provider.
Neonatologist: A pediatrician who specialized in the care of critically ill and premature infants.
NICU: Newborn Intensive Care Unit
NICU Staff Nurse: A registered nurse educated to care for critically ill infants.
Neonatal feeding tube or NEO tube: A small, flexible tube inserted through the nose or mouth and down the esophagus and into the stomach.
Oximeter: A machine that monitors oxygenation of the baby's blood. A band-aid-style cuff is gently wrapped around the baby's toe, foot, hand or finger.
Oxygen: A gas that makes up part of the atmosphere. Sick babies may require additional oxygen. It may be delivered in the isolette, with an oxygen hood (a clear plastic box placed over the baby's head), or with a ventilator. See Room Air.
Oxygen analyzer: A device that measures the amount of oxygen a baby is receiving.
Periodic breathing: Breathing interrupted by pauses as long as 10 to 20 seconds. This is common in premature and full-term babies. See Apnea.
Phototherapy: Treatment of infants with jaundice by exposing them to bright lights called bili lights.
Pneumogram (sleep study): A monitoring of the baby's breathing during sleep to detect any abnormal breathing patterns.
Premature infant: A baby born before the 37th completed week of pregnancy.
Room air: The 21 percent oxygen that we normally breathe. See Oxygen.
SGA: Small for Gestational Age, that is a baby who weighs less than the 10th percentile for gestational age. See AGA and LGA.
Social worker: A masters prepared professional who helps coordinate community services available to families and also helps families understand their insurance coverage.
UAC: An umbilical arterial catheter IV that is place in the belly button artery. It's used to monitor blood pressure, draw blood samples and give medications.
UVC: An umbilical venous catheter IV that is placed in the belly button vein. It's used to infuse fluids and medications.
Ventilator: A machine that delivers breath, oxygen and humidity to the baby.
Warming table: An open, heated bed. See Isolette.
