Neonates Flashcards
Definition of low birth weight?
born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces (2,500 grams)
less than 3 pounds, 5 ounces (1,500 grams) at birth are considered very low birth weight
extremely low - less than 1000g
Causes of low birth weight?
Often caused by premature birth
Substance use (alcohol, cigarettes, cocaine, heroin)
ACEi, carbamazepine, phenytoin, warfarin
Infections (malaria)
Placental insuff: smoking, DM, HTN, anaemia, AN, APS, SLE, sickle cell, Rh incompatibility, pre-eclampsia
Placenta previa, multiple gest, placenta abruption, umbilical a thrombosis/ infarction, uterine malf e.g. fibroids.
Fetal cyanotic heart defects
Signs and symptoms of low birth weight/small baby?
Asymmetric: more common, abdo circ lower centile than head, due to placenta insuff
Symmetric: head equally ↓, prolonged IUGR. TORCH, drug use, Chr abnormalities.
What is TORCH?
toxoplasmosis, other agents, rubella cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, and HIV
causes Sx of: fever, difficulty feeding, small areas of bleeding under skin, small reddish or purplish sports, hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, hearing impairment, abnormalities of eyes
if foetus infected by TORCH agent - outcome of pregnancy may be miscarriage, stillbirth, IUGR, premature birth
Complications of low birth weight/small baby?
Metabolic maladaptation
Use reserves (SC fat, ↓glycogen in liver ↓protein in muscle) to maintain brain growth.
Fetal hypoxia + hypoglycaemia, shunting blood to vital organs.
Anaerobic glycolysis, met acidosis, lactic acid damages organs
Diagnosis of low birth weight/small baby?
Doppler USS: reversed/absent flow suggests fetal distress
Small baby with normal doppler is fine.
Treatment of low birth weight/small baby?
Deliver if sig restriction
Tx of underlying cause
Risk factors for preterm birth?
multiple gest pre-eclamp cervical incompetency, preterm PROM preg HTN IUGR ↑ uterine size bleeding in 1st or 2nd trim placenta previa IU infection polyhydramnios maternal systemic disease (UTI) psychological stress domestic violence
Complications of premature birth?
CP, RDS, NE
LD, behav problems
Chronic health issues: epilepsy, DM
Hypothermia
Infection: maternal IgG crosses 30wk, thin skin, immature immune system
Feeding: no suck/ swallow reflex until 34wks. IV nutritional gradual introduction of breast milk
Diagnosis of premature birth?
Identify risk: cervical assessment, fetal fibronectin (shouldn’t be present > 20 wks), screening for infections
Investigate maternal infection/haem
CTG/USS
Prevention of premature birth?
Abx for asymptomatic bacteriuria
Cervical cerclage, removed 36-37 wks.
Progesterone: antagonises oxytocin, relaxation of smooth muscle
Treatment of premature birth?
Tocolysis: nifedipine, indomethacin etc
24mg betamethasone/ dexamethasone 2 IM injections 24hrs apart.
Delayed cord clamping
What is macrosomia?
Birth weight >4000g
95th centile
Causes of macrosomia?
Mother had previous large baby before
FHx of large babies
BMI >35
Diabetic/gestational diabetes
Diagnosis of macrosomia?
Symphysis-fundal height - greater than expected >2 then offered growth scan
If >90th centime and under 36 wks - GTT
more than 36 wks, monitor BG levels over 7 days
Risks of macrosomia?
Shoulder dystocia > fractured clavicle, Erb’s palsy
PPH
Uterine rupture
C-section, instrumental delivery
Perineum tears
Neonatal hypoglycaemia
Metabolic syndrome
Management of macrosomia?
Induction at 39-40wks
How does GDM cause macrosomia?
increased insulin resistance of the mother
so a higher amount of blood glucose passes through the placenta into the fetal circulation
as a result, extra glucose in the fetus is stored as body fat causing macrosomia
What is hydrops fetalis?
abnormal accumulation of fluid in two or more fetal compartments, including ascites, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, and skin edema
What causes immune hydrops?
Rh incompatiblity - Rh positive baby, Rh -ve mother
Causes haemolytic anaemia. If baby cannot overcome this, causes hydrops as heart starts to fail.
What causes non-immune hydrops?
Severe anemia
Infections present before birth
Heart or lung defects
Chromosomal abnormalities and birth defects
Liver disease
S+S of hydrops fetalis?
During pregnancy:
- polyhydramnios
- thickened placenta
- US shows enlarged liver, spleen, heart, may show fluid build-up
After birth:
- pale colouring
- severe swelling - especially in abdomen
- trouble breathing
- hepatosplenomegaly
Diagnosis of hydrops fetalis?
USS
Increased abdominal fluid
Fetal blood sampling
Amniocentesis
Treatment of hydrops fetalis?
Depends on cause
Early delivery
Newborn - O2/ventilator, paracentesis