Page 82 - What to Expect

Glossary

Isolation: The name for the area where babies are nursed on their own, in
case they pass on their contagious infections to the other babies or need
protecting because they are more fragile.
IUGR: Intra uterine growth retardation (see SGA).
IV (intravenous): Into the vein.
J

Jaundice: The yellow colour of a baby’s skin caused by raised bilirubin in
the blood.
L

Lactation: The body’s process of making breast milk.
Lanugo: The soft downy hair all over the body that a lot of premature
babies are born with. This falls out after a short while.
Lipids (a white fluid): Fats that are needed to promote growth. Used in
conjunction with TPN as a total food for baby when baby is not able to
feed by mouth. Normally administered via a long line.

Liquor: Amniotic fluid.
Long Line: An IV that generally lasts for a long time. It is positioned in a
central vein. It has less likelihood of being infected.
Lumbar puncture: A procedure for investigating diseased cerebrospinal
fluid. This is done by inserting a needle between the vertebrae at the
bottom of the spine (waist height), in order to tap cerebrospinal fluid and
occasionally to inject drugs in to the cerebrospinal fluid.
M

Meconium: A greenish-black, mucus-like substance present in the
intestines of newborn babies. This is usually the first bowel motion after
birth.

Meconium aspiration: Inhalation or breathing in by a foetus of amniotic
fluid that has meconium in it. Caused when a foetus becomes stressed
prior to delivery. The sticky material irritates and partially blocks the
airways causing breathing difficulties in the newborn period.
Monitor: A machine used to observe and record such functions as
breathing, temperature, and heart rate. The electrodes and sensors are
connected to this machine.

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