While Ries was researching information for his posts, he made a list of websites and a glossary. These do not have the librarian seal of approval but they do have the rocket scientist A-OK. Not all of the glossary items apply to Gideon, but many of them do.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)
MECONIUM ASPIRATION
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/medical/lungs/meconium.html
http://www.naturalchildbirth.org/natural/resources/prebirth/prebirth02.htm
http://depts.washington.edu/nicuweb/NICU-WEB/vents.stm
ECMO
http://www.gla.ac.uk/departments/surgicalpaediatrics/ecmoinfo.htm
http://www.emedicine.com/ped/TOPIC2895.HTM
Glossary
Here is a list of words and phrases used by the hospital staff who will look after your child.
A.C.T. – Activated Clotting Time – a test that represents how long it takes for blood to form a clot.
ANTIBIOTIC – A drug which slows the growth of or destroys bacteria or germs. Used to prevent or eliminate infection.
ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS (ABG) TEST – A small amount of blood that is drawn from an artery and tested to determine the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide it contains.
BLADDER BOX – This is a safety device in the ECMO circuit that detects any changes in the flow of blood from the body.
CANNULA – A plastic tube used for the drainage and return of blood in the body.
CANNULATE – To insert a cannula into a part of the body such as vein or artery.
CAROTID ARTERY – A larger artery in the neck carrying blood from the heart to the brain.
CHEST DRAIN – A tube placed into the space between the lung and chest wall which evacuates air or fluid. Used to treat a collapsed lung (pneumothorax).
CLAMPED OFF – A trial period when your child is taken off ECMO before the cannulae are removed (de-cannulation).
CONGENITAL DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA – A disease where the diaphragm (the flat piece of tissue that separates the chest cavity from the abdomen) is missing on one side. This results in the contents of the abdomen, such as the stomach or intestine, moving into the chest and causing the underdevelopment of the lung on that side.
DECANNULATE – To remove a cannula.
DE-OXYGENATED BLOOD – Blood which has a very low oxygen level.
ECMO FELLOW – A doctor specialising in ECMO support and development.
EEG – Electroencephalogram: Recording of the electrical activity of the brain.
HEPARIN – A drug used to prevent blood from clotting.
HEAD ULTRASOUND – A ultrasound scan of the head. Ultrasound can be used to examine the structure of the inside of the body.
INFECTION – An invasion of the body or part of the body by bacteria or virus
IDLING FLOW – Low ECMO flows for a period of time to ensure that the lungs are functioning well before stopping ECMO.
INTRACRANIAL HAEMORRHAGE (ICH) – An abnormal bleeding in the brain.
ISOFLURANE – An anaesthetic gas used for sedation.
MECONIUM – The first stool of the newborn infant. It is black and sticky.
MECONIUM ASPIRATION – Before or during birth, small particles of meconium become lodged in the lungs, causing a chemical reaction and preventing the lungs from working. Depending on the amount, this can cause mild to severe respiratory distress.
MEMBRANE PRESSURES – These are pressures monitored either side of the oxygenator.
NASOGASTRIC TUBE – A tube that is passed into the stomach and used for feeding.
NEURO – Relating to the brain.
OXYGENATOR – Part of the ECMO circuit which removes carbon dioxide from the blood and supplies oxygen to the blood.
PERFUSIONIST – A person with specialised knowledge and training in cardio-pulmonary bypass (heart/lung machine).
PLATELETS – Blood cells which help prevent bleeding
PULMONARY HYPERTENSION OFTHE NEWBORN (PPHN) – In this disease high pressures in the blood vessels of the lungs make it difficult for the blood coming from the heart to enter the lungs. This results in the blood not receiving the proper amount of oxygen.
PUMP – This device circulates the blood through the circuit and returns it to the patient. Flow of the pump refers to the amount of blood being pumped through the circuit.
RACEWAY – The section of tubing within the pump head.
RESPIRATORY DISTRESS – At birth or shortly after, the baby may encounter difficulty in breathing. This may be caused by immature lungs or foreign material in the lungs. The baby may need help with breathing by the use of a ventilator and/or oxygen.
SURFACTANT – A soap-like substance normally found in the lungs of full-term babies, children and adults. The presence of this substance keeps the lungs from collapsing.
VENTILATOR – Breathing machine used to put oxygen into the lungs through a tube in the windpipe.
WALKING THE RACEWAY – Manually moving the tubing along so new tubing is present in the raceway.
WEANING – ECMO blood flow will be decreased gradually as the lungs/heart improve.
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