A

Caused by the accumulation of waste acids in the body, either due to breathing difficulties or problems with metabolic function. 

A condition where the number of red blood cells in the blood is lower than normal.
(Hematocrit, or "Crit," is the test used to measure the percentage of red blood cells in relation to the total volume of blood.) 

A pause in breathing lasting 15 seconds or longer. Some preemies need manual stimulation or medication to restart or regulate breathing patterns.
(Also called apneic episodes or apneic spells.) 

A preemie’s chronological age minus the number of weeks they were born early.
(Also known as corrected age.) 

Special lights or blankets used to treat jaundice, a common condition in newborns. 

(Also called phototherapy.) 

A measurement of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in a baby’s blood. 

A slower-than-normal heart rate. Brady episodes are common in preemies and are often linked to apnea.
(Also called Bradys or B’s.) 

 A hearing test for newborns that checks how the brain responds to sound. 

A chronic lung condition caused by prolonged use of mechanical ventilation.
(Also known as Chronic Lung Disease.) 

Devices that track a baby’s heart rate and breathing patterns.
(Also called cardio-respiratory monitors.) 

A type of imaging that uses a narrow beam of radiation and a computer to create detailed images of internal tissues.
(Short for computed tomography scans.) 

A group of disorders caused by brain damage before, during, or shortly after birth. It can affect muscle tone, posture, flexibility, and motor skills. 

Delivers constant air pressure through nasal prongs or an endotracheal tube to keep the baby’s lungs open and assist with breathing. 

An episode where a baby’s blood oxygen level drops below the desired range. 

A term used to describe babies and children who do not reach expected developmental milestones for their age. 

A specialized ultrasound that focuses on imaging the heart. 

Swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body’s tissues. 

A plastic tube placed through the mouth or nose into the windpipe to deliver oxygen or ventilator support. 

A special type of blood transfusion used to treat severe jaundice or other conditions by replacing some of the baby’s blood with donor blood. 

Thin tubes that deliver milk or formula directly to a baby’s stomach when they are too small or weak to feed by mouth.

• NG tube (nasogastric) – through the nose
• OG tube (orogastric) – through the mouth
  (Also known as gavage feeding.)

The backward flow of stomach contents into the esophagus, common in preemies due to immature digestive function. 

A surgically placed feeding tube that delivers nutrition directly to the stomach. 

The age of a baby in weeks, measured from the first day of the mother’s last menstrual period to the birth date. 

The buildup of fluid in the brain’s ventricles, often linked to intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH).
(Sometimes called water on the brain.) 

Low blood sugar. 

The measurement of fluids given (feeding or IV) and fluids excreted (urine and stool). 

A spontaneous hole in the small intestine, which can occur in extremely premature babies. 

Open beds with overhead heaters that maintain a baby’s body temperature.
(Also called radiant warmers.) 

Bleeding inside the skull, often occurring in the ventricles (IVH) in preemies. It can lead to neurological challenges. 

A temperature-controlled enclosed bed that also protects preemies from germs, noise, and excessive handling. 

Devices that deliver fluids, nutrition, and medications directly into the bloodstream.

• PICC lines and central lines are larger, long-term IVs placed in larger veins for extended use.

Yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by excess bilirubin in the blood. 

Skin-to-skin contact where parents hold their preemie against their bare chest to promote bonding, warmth, and comfort. 

A scan that uses magnetic fields and computer imaging to produce detailed pictures of the body’s tissues. 

A soft tube with prongs that sit just inside the baby’s nostrils to deliver supplemental oxygen. 

A serious condition where parts of the intestine become inflamed and damaged due to infection or lack of blood flow. 

Specialist pediatricians trained to care for premature, critically ill, or high-risk newborns. 

A condition where preemies have decreased bone density due to insufficient calcium and phosphorus. 

A heart condition where a fetal blood vessel (ductus arteriosus) fails to close after birth, affecting normal circulation. 

High blood pressure in the lungs that makes it difficult for the baby to breathe properly. 

Advanced monitors that collect and display a baby’s vital signs while filtering out false alarms. 

Air leaks from the lungs into the chest cavity, which may require drainage or surgery. 

Air bubbles form between the tiny air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs, typically due to ventilator use. 

A sensor attached to the baby’s foot or hand to measure blood oxygen levels using infrared light. 

A condition where abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina, potentially affecting vision. 

A common virus that can cause severe lung infections in preemies or babies with chronic lung conditions. 

A lung condition caused by immature lungs and insufficient surfactant production. 

 A life-threatening bloodstream infection. 

 A substance that helps keep a baby’s lungs open by reducing surface tension in the air sacs. 

 A type of CPAP that alternates between two pressure levels to assist breathing. 

Abnormally fast heart rate. 

 Abnormally fast breathing rate.

A sensor placed on the baby’s skin to monitor and adjust temperature in the isolette or warmer. 

A diagnostic imaging tool that uses sound waves to create images of internal organs and tissues. 

A thin tube inserted into the umbilical stump to deliver medications, fluids, or draw blood. 

A machine that helps preemies breathe, either gently or with higher-frequency settings to protect fragile lungs.