Page 86 - What to Expect

Glossary

Suction: Aspiration of gas or fluid, usually from the lungs by mechanical
means.
Surfactant: Compounds which line the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs
reducing surface tension and thereby preventing lung collapse on
breathing out (expiration). Artificial or synthetic surfactant is now available
for those infants who have difficulty producing their own shortly after
birth. It is given to babies through the ventilator. Surfactants have names
like Curosurf.
Syringe: An apparatus for injecting into, or withdrawing fluids from, the
body.
T

Tachycardia: Rapid heart rate, above 170 beats per minute.

Tachypnoea: Rapid breathing rate, over 60 breaths per minute.
Thrush: A fungal infection.

Thermacot: A bed that has a warmed gel mattress to help babies maintain
their temperature. Babies also have bedding as they would in a cot.

TPN (total parenteral nutrition): A mixture of sugar, minerals, vitamins
and proteins given via IV.

Trachea: The windpipe, which extends from the throat to the bronchial
tubes.
U

UTI: Urinary tract infection.
V

Vein: A blood vessel which carries non-oxygenated blood to the heart.
Ventricle: (1) A tiny chamber, as in those of the heart. (2) Tiny chambers in
the middle of the brain where cerebrospinal fluid is created.
Virus: A small infectious organism that thrives in the cells of the body.

84