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Some common terms and their meanings

Anaemia - Fewer red blood cells than normal. In Preemies, anaemia can cause breathing problems, low energy and poor growth.

Apnea - A pause in breathing that lasts for more than 20 seconds, or is accompanied by a slow heart rate(bradycardia) or a change in skin colour. Apnea is common amogst premature babies because they still have immature control of their breathing.

Bilirubin - A yellow substance that the body makes all the time as red blood cells are broken down. When bilirubin builds up in the body it turns the skin a yellowish tinge, called Jaundice.

BPD(Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia) - Sometimes referred to as Chronic Lung Disease(CLD). This is chronic injury or scarring in a preemies lungs, caused by supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilation. 

Bradycardia(Brady) - A slower than normal heart rate, in preemies it most often results from apnea.

CPAP - Short for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, it is a method to keep the air sacs in a baby's lungs open, by preventing them from collapsing after each breath. This is usually given through prongs in the nose.

Endotracheal(ET)Tube - A tube inserted into the nose or mouth into the windpipe(trachea), that can then be attached to a ventilator, to send air directly into the lungs.

Gastroesophageal Reflux - Often referred to as 'GE Reflux', or just 'Reflux', this is a condition in which food in the stomach comes back up the oesophagus, amd sometimes all the way out of the mouth.

IVH(Intraventricular Haemorrhage) - Bleeding occurring in an inner part of the brain, near the ventricles, where premature babies have blood vessels that are particularly fragile and prone to rupsture.

Jaundice - A yellowish discolourisation of the skin caused by a build up of bilirubin.

NEC(Necrotizing Enterocolitis) - An intestinal disease, most common in young preemies, in which portions of the bowel are damaged or destroyed by poor blood flow, inflammation, or infection. 

NG(Naso-Gastric)Tube - A soft tube that goes through a baby's nose down into the stomach. It can be used for feeding or emptying the stomach of gas.

Oscillating Ventilator - Also called a high-frequency ventilator, it works differently than a conventional ventilator. An oscillating ventilator keeps a baby's lungs continuously inflated by providing tiny quantities of air at extremely rapid rates.

PDA(Patent Ductus Arteriosus) - An open blood vessel near the heart and lungs which is a necessary part of a foetus's circulation, a PDA should normally close a few days after birth. If it lingers, as it often does in premature babies, it can cause breathing difficulties and heart failure.

Pectus Carinatum with sub-costal recession  - Chest deformity caused by Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, causes the chest to appear pigeon shaped.

RDS(Respiratory Distress Syndrome) - Also called Hyaline Membrane syndrome, it is a result of a preemie having immature lungs. A baby with RDS is not able to breathe well on their own.

ROP(Retinopathy of Prematurity) - An eye disease of premature babies, in which new, abnormal blood vessels grow near the retina, and temporarily or permanently damage it.

RSV(Respiratory Syntical Virus) - A common virus that gives most people a cold, but can be more serious in premature babies, causing infections such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis.

Surfactant - A natural substance in the lungs that helps keep the air sacs expanded, it is deficient in premature babies who suffer RDS. Replacement surfactant can be given to babies who don't produce enough of their own.

TPN(Total Parenteral Nutrition) - A nourishing solution - containing protein, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients - that is given to the baby intravenously.