Disorders of the Newborn

Question 1

What is respiratory distress syndrome?

Answer 1

Disorder of the new born usually in those premature before 32 weeks
due to lack of SURFACTANT

Question 2

What is the role of surfactant

Answer 2

reduces alveolar surface tension and this allows the alveoli to inflate
lack of it results in atelectasis

Question 3

What are the key symptoms of respiratory distress syndrome

Answer 3

tachypnoea more than 60 breath per min
intercostal recession
subcostal recession
grunting
nasal flare
cyanosis

Question 4

What are the key symptoms of respiratory distress syndrome

Answer 4

tachypnoea more than 60 breath per min
intercostal recession
subcostal recession
grunting
nasal flare
cyanosis

Question 5

How is RDS treated

Answer 5

surfactant replacement therapy until neonate start to produce its own surfactant
usually settles in 3-7 days
in severe cases baby may need ventilated

Question 6

How is RDS treated

Answer 6

surfactant replacement therapy until neonate start to produce its own surfactant
usually settles in 3-7 days
in severe cases baby may need ventilated

Question 7

What is the most common surgical emergency in a new born

Answer 7

necrotising entercolitis (NEC)

Question 8

what is NEC

Answer 8

unknow aetiology

presents with distended abdomen due to gut necrosis

Question 9

What are the signs of physiologival jaundice

Answer 9

not apparent in first 24 hrs
infant is well
fades by 14 days

Question 10

What does jaundice in the first 24hrs suggest

Answer 10

never physiological

stongly suggests excessive haemolysis or sepsis

Question 11

What does jaundice in the first 24hrs suggest

Answer 11

never physiological

strongly suggests excessive haemolysis or sepsis

Question 12

What is kernicterus

Answer 12

bilirubin encephelopathy

results from unconjugated bilirubin entering brain and causing damage

Question 13

What are infants of diabetic mothers more at risk of

Answer 13

hypoglycaemia
large size
RDS risk
polycynthaemia
congential malformation

Question 14

What are infants of diabetic mothers more at risk of

Answer 14

hypoglycaemia
large size
RDS risk
polycynthaemia
congenital malformation

Question 15

What are the most common causes of neonatal infection

Answer 15

Rubella
Toxoplasmosis - from cats
HIV- one of the most common
Hep B 
Syphilis, TB and malaria

these are all more common worldwide rather than in the UK