Being in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can feel confusing, especially when you hear new medical words. This glossary will help you understand the terms used in your baby’s care.

Abdominal girth - a measurement of the circumference of the abdomen 

Acidosis - occurs when too much acid is in the blood and tissues

AGA (appropriate for gestational age) - baby's weight is appropriate for his/her birth age 

Alveoli - small grape-like sacs in the lungs which exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide

Anemia - a low number of red blood cells, which may result in low energy levels, poor weight gain, and respiratory problems

Antibiotics - medications that help fight infections

Antibodies - proteins made either by the baby or passed to the baby through breast milk or vaccines which help to fight off infections

Aorta - the main artery extending from the heart which supplies the body with oxygenated blood

APGAR scores - a score given to a baby immediately following birth to determine his/her overall physical condition

Apnea - a pause in breathing which lasts greater than 15 seconds

Arterial blood gas - a test which determines the oxygen content, carbon dioxide content, and acid and base levels in a sample of blood taken from an artery

Artery - a blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart and to the tissues

Aspiration - occurs when foreign material enters the airway

Atelectasis - collapse of the air sacs in the lungs

BAERS (brainstem auditory evoked response test) - a hearing test which measures the electrical activity in the brain in response to sound

Bagging - when a mask, which is attached to a bag, is placed over the baby's mouth and nose or attached to the breathing tube in order to manually pump oxygen into the baby's lungs

Bililights - special lights which the baby is placed under to help reduce bilirubin levels in the blood

Bilirubin - a waste product from red blood cell breakdown which causes the skin to appear yellow

Blood culture - a lab test which examines a sample of blood to dete1mine if there is bacteria or other sources of infection

Bolus - a medication, feed, or fluid given in one single volume

BMP (basic metabolic panel) - a lab test which determines the levels of metabolites in the blood

BPD (bronchopulmonary dysplasia) - lung disease which is common in premature babies or babies who had a breathing tube for a long period of time

Bradycardia - occurs when the baby's heart rate is slower than normal limits 

Breast pump - a machine used to collect breast milk from the mother's breasts 

Caffeine - a medication given to help stimulate breathing and heart rate 

Catheter - a thin tube which is used to transfer fluids to and from the body

CBC (complete blood count) - a lab test that examines the blood and tells us the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, and amount of hemoglobin

CDH (congenital diaphragmatic hernia) - a birth defect in which abdominal organs enter the chest through an opening in the diaphragm

Central line - thin tubing which enters a vein and ends very close to the heart

Chest tube - a special tube inserted into the space between the chest wall and lung to remove fluid and/or air to allow the lung tissue to re-expand

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) - a type of respiratory support which pushes oxygen into the airway to keep the lungs open and prevent them from collapsing

CRIES - a pain scale commonly used for neonates

CSF (cerebral spinal fluid) - fluid which circulates throughout the brain and surrounds the spinal column

Cyanosis - a bluish coloring of the skin which indicates a lack of oxygen

Diaphragm - the muscle which separates the chest and the abdomen

Dopamine - a medication used to help regulate blood pressure

ECHO (echocardiogram) - an ultrasound of the heart

ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) - a treatment in which a machine causes the baby's blood to bypass the heart and lungs in order to let them rest while the machine oxygenates and warms the blood

Edema - swelling and puffiness caused by too much fluid in the body's tissues

EEG (electroencephalogram) - a test in which electrodes are placed on the scalp which read and record electrical activity in the brain

EKG (electrocardiogram) - a machine which measures and records the electrical activity in the heart

Electrolytes - chemicals in the blood which are necessary for the cells of the body to function.

ETT (endotracheal tube) - a tube inserted into the airway which helps the baby breath and provides warm humidified oxygen to the lungs

Exchange transfusion - a procedure in which 70% to 80% of the baby's blood is exchanged for fresh new blood

Extubation - removal of the breathing tube from the baby's airway

Failure to thrive - inability to gain weight

Fontanel - the soft spot in between the baby's skull bones

Gavage feeding - when the baby is fed through a tube that is either inserted into the nose or mouth which goes directly into the stomach or gut

GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) - occurs when juices from the stomach backflow into the esophagus causing burning and discomfort

Hematocrit - the percentage or red blood cells in the blood

Hemoccult - a test which determines whether there are trace amounts of blood in the baby's stool

Hemoglobin - molecules located on red blood cells which carry oxygen

Hernia - occurs when a hole in the muscle wall allows part of an organ or intestine to poke through

HFOV (high frequency oscillating ventilator) - a machine which allows the lungs to rest by delivering extremely fast and gentle breaths

Hydrocephalus - occurs when too much fluid collects in the brain causing the brain tissue to swell, which causes the baby's head to expand

Hyperbilirubinemia - occurs when too much bilirubin accumulates in the blood 

Hyperglycemia - higher than normal sugar levels in the blood 

Hypertension - higher than normal blood pressures 

Hypoglycemia - lower than normal sugar levels in the blood

Hypoxia - insufficient oxygen

I&O (intake and output) - a measure of the amount of fluids which goes into the body and the amount of fluid which comes out

Incubator/isolette - a special type of crib which is enclosed to provide a quiet, heated, and clean environment

Infusion - medication or fluid is continually administered into the baby's blood 

Intracranial hemorrhage - bleeding in the brain

Intralipids - high calorie solution which provides the baby with necessary fats 

Intubation - when a breathing tube is inserted in the baby's airway

IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) - occurs when the baby's growth is restricted in the womb

IVH (intraventricular hemorrhage) - bleeding in the ventricles of the brain 

Jaundice - a yellow discoloration of the skin which is caused by excess bilirubin

Kangaroo care - the baby's bare skin is placed directly onto the parent's bare chest allowing for skin to skin contact

LP (lumbar puncture) - a procedure in which spinal fluid is collected from a needle which is inserted into the baby's spine

MAS (meconium aspiration syndrome) - occurs when meconium enters into the lungs

Meconium - the baby's first stools which are thick, sticky, and black/dark green

Meningitis - inflammation of the lining of the brain usually caused by infection

Microcephaly - a condition in which the head circumference is smaller than normal and is usually caused by abnormal brain growth

Monitor - the machine which records the baby's heart rate, breathing rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure

Morphine - a medication given to help minimize pain

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) - a test which provides very detailed images using magnets and computers

Nasal cannula - prongs which go into the baby's nose and deliver humidified oxygen to the baby

ND (nasoduodenal) tube - a tube that is inserted into the nose and goes past the stomach into the tip of the small intestine

Nebulizer treatment - a respiratory treatment in which the baby inhales medicine into the lungs

NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis) - an infection in the baby's gut which requires immediate medical attention

Newborn screening test - blood test which screens for up to 20 disorders

NG (naso-gastric) tube - a tube which is inserted into the nose and ends in the stomach

Nitric oxide - a gas which helps to dilate blood vessels, commonly used in baby's with PPHN

NPO (latin: nil per os; nothing by mouth) - a term which means the baby is not being fed

Occupational therapy - treatment which stimulates the baby to help them better learn to swallow, stay comfortable, and relax

OG (oro-gastric) tube - a tube inserted into the mouth which ends in the stomach

PDA (patent ductus arteriosus) - a heart condition in which a hole, which normally closes after birth, remains open and requires medical or surgical treatment

PFTs (pulmonary function tests) - special tests which determine how well the lungs function

Phototherapy - special lights which the baby is placed under to help the body break down excess bilirubin in the blood

Physical therapy - therapy that uses special exercise, stretches, and massage which help the baby develop their muscles

PICC (peripherally inserted cutaneous catheter) - a tube inserted into a vein in an arm or leg which threads into a larger central vein; these lines last longer than PIVs (peripheral IVs)

PIV (peripheral intravenous) - a tube which is inserted into a vein in either the hands, arms, legs, feet, or scalp which allows medications to be given directly into the blood

Plasma - the liquid portion of the blood

Platelets - cells in the blood which are responsible for clotting

Pneumogram - a test which monitors the baby's breathing and heart rate pattern while they sleep

Pneumothorax - occurs when a hole in the lung allows air to become trapped between the chest wall and lung, which prevents the lung from expanding

PPHN (persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn) - a condition which makes it difficult for blood to move into the lungs to pick up oxygen

Premature - birth which occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy

Pulse oximeter - a device which measures the amount of oxygen in the blood

RDS (respiratory distress syndrome) - the lungs of the premature baby are not developed enough to keep the air sacs open

Retraction - sucking in of the chest when the baby inhales which indicates increased effort to breathe

ROP (retinopathy of prematurity) - the blood vessels in the baby's eyes have not developed normally

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) - a virus that causes respiratory infections, most commonly infects from fall to spring

Sepsis - an infection in the blood

Septal defects - describes a hole in the septum (the heart wall which separates the left and right chambers) which causes the heart to have to work harder to provide the body with oxygenated blood

Septic work up - a collection of body fluids (blood, mucous, urine) which are sent to the lab and examined for viruses and bacteria

Social worker - a member of the medical team who helps families cope with stress by providing them with information such as support groups, community resources, and assistance programs

Stool - bowel movement, feces

Suctioning - removal of secretions by using a vacuum force

Swaddling - wrapping the baby tightly in a blanket so the baby's arms and legs are tucked away snuggly; this is usually comforting to the baby

Syndrome - a medical condition which is determined when a certain number of signs and symptoms are present in the baby

Tachycardia - when the heart rate beats faster than normal 

Tachypnea - when the baby breathes faster than normal

Tetralogy of Fallot - four heart defects which prohibit adequate blood to get to the lungs

TPN (total parenteral nutrition) - also referred to as "HAL and lipids" which provide the baby with nutrition that is administered directly into their veins

Transfusion - when blood products are administered to the baby

Trophic feeds - a very small feed which coats the GI tract to prepare it for larger amounts of food

Ultrasound - a non-invasive type of imaging which uses sound waves to provide images of tissues and organs

Umbilical catheter - a thin tube placed inside a blood vessel of the umbilical cord

Ventilator - a machine that hooks up to the breathing tube and helps the baby breathe 

Versed - a medication given to help the baby relax

Vital signs - heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, blood pressure, and pain level 

Warmer bed - a special bed that provides radiant heat to help keep the baby warm