Paeds- Neonates Flashcards
Important problems with neonatal resuscitation
Hypoxia occurs during normal birth, babies have large surface area to volume ratio so loose heat, babies are born wet so loose heat, babies can aspirate Meconium in birth
First stage of neonatal resuscitation
Dry and warm the baby- towel, heat lamp, bag if less than 28 weeks
What are APGAR scores and when are they done
Appearance, Pulse, Grimmace, Activity, Respiration
Performed at 1, 5 and 10 minutes post birth
Range from 0-10
If neonate is not breathing/gasping despite stimulation what is the first stage of resuscitation
Inflation breaths- 5 breaths
Can be repeated
What can be given after inflation breaths if no progress?
30 seconds of ventilation breaths
When should chest compressions be given in neonatal resuscitation
If heart rate is less than 60 despite inflation and ventilation breaths
Rate of chest compressions in neonates
3:1 with inflation breaths
Explain delayed cord clamping
If neonate is uncompromised cord clamping should be delayed by at least one minutes to allow all blood to enter baby
What is Meconium aspiration
Respiratory distress which is caused by the aspiration of Meconium stained amniotic fluid either antenatally or during birth.
Pathophysiology of Meconium aspiration
Meconium usually passes after birth however if in utero peristalsis it can occur earlier
This is usually due to foetal hypoxic stress or vagal stimulation due to cord compression
This leads to Meconium stained amniotic fluid
The neonate can aspirate the Meconium
Consequences of Meconium aspiration
Partial or total airway obstruction (due to thick sticky consistency of Meconium, can cause partial collapse)
Foetal hypoxia
Pulmonary inflammation- meconium contains pro-inflammatory cytokines
Infection
Surfactant inactivation - inflammatory reaction can deactivate surfactant
Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn
Presentation of Meconium aspiration
Respiratory distress signs:
- Tachypnoea,
- tachycardia
- cyanosis
- grunting
- nasal flaring
- recessions
Differentials of meconium aspiration
Transient Tachypnoea of the newborn
Surfactant deficiency
Persistent pulmonary hypertension
Cyanotic congenital heart disease
Diagnosis of meconium aspiration
X ray- increased lung volumes, patchy pulmonary infiltrates, may have effusion or pneumothorax
May blood culture to rule out infection
Treatment of Meconium aspiration
Depends on the severity of resp distress
- ventilation and oxygen therapy
- antibiotics may be given if concern for infection
- surfactant if severe
- inhaled nitric oxide for hypertension
RF for meconium aspiration
Increased gestational age- >42 weeks, foetal distress, intrapartum hypoxia, chorioamnionititsm maternal hypertension, smoking, diabetes
What needs to be considered if bowel sounds can be heard on a respiratory examination of a neonate
diaphragmatic hernia
how does a diaphragmatic hernia present in a neonate
respiratory distress shortly after birth due to lung hypoplasia
What management can be done to reduce risk of HIE in neonates
therapeutic cooling
How does prader willi present in neonates?
neonatal hypotonia
What is Epstein’s pearl?
a white lesion found on the posterior hard palate- sometiems mistaken for neonatal teeth
features of fetal alcohol syndrome
flat philtrum, sunken nasal brdige, small eye openings, small body, low set ears, thin upper lip
x ray findings of meconium aspiration syndrome
patchy infiltrations and atelectasis
What investigation is needed for all babies who were breech at or after 36 weeks gestation, regardless of neonatal examination
hip ultrasound at 6 weeks