Neonatal Intensive Care Glossary
100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
corrected gestational age
A method of calculating an infant's developmental age by adjusting chronological age based on how early the infant was born relative to full term.
AGA
Appropriate for gestational age; birth weight between the 10th and 90th percentiles for gestational age.
amplitude-integrated electroencephalography
A simplified continuous brain monitoring technique that displays compressed EEG activity to assess neurological status a...
antenatal steroids
Corticosteroids administered to pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery to accelerate fetal lung maturation.
APGAR score
A standardized assessment tool used to evaluate a newborn's physical condition immediately after birth.
apnea of prematurity
Breathing interruptions lasting 15-20 seconds or longer in premature infants, often accompanied by bradycardia and oxyge...
arterial blood gas
Laboratory test measuring oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acid-base status from arterial blood sample.
bagging
Manual ventilation using a bag-mask device to provide positive pressure breaths to an infant.
blood-brain barrier
Selective barrier protecting the brain from toxins and infections, immature in newborns affecting drug penetration and i...
bradycardia
Abnormally slow heart rate, particularly concerning in premature infants.
bradycardia of prematurity
Episodes of abnormally slow heart rate common in premature infants, often accompanied by apnea and desaturation.
bronchopulmonary dysplasia
A chronic lung disease that affects premature infants who have received prolonged mechanical ventilation and oxygen ther...
caffeine citrate
A methylxanthine medication used to treat apnea of prematurity and facilitate weaning from mechanical ventilation in pre...
central line
Intravenous catheter placed in a large central vein for delivery of medications, nutrition, or blood sampling.
chest tube
Drainage tube inserted into the pleural space to remove air or fluid from around the lungs.
chorioamnionitis
Bacterial infection of the fetal membranes and amniotic fluid during pregnancy, often leading to preterm delivery.
chronological age
The actual age of an infant calculated from the date of birth, used in contrast to corrected gestational age in NICU set...
congenital diaphragmatic hernia
A birth defect involving incomplete development of the diaphragm, allowing abdominal organs to enter the chest cavity.
corrected gestational age
A method of calculating an infant's developmental age by adjusting chronological age based on how early the infant was b...
CPAP
A form of non-invasive respiratory support that delivers continuous positive airway pressure to help keep airways open.
CPIS
Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score - scoring system to diagnose ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill infant...
CRIES
Crying, Requires oxygen, Increased vital signs, Expression, Sleeplessness - neonatal pain assessment tool.
desaturation
Drop in blood oxygen saturation levels below acceptable thresholds, monitored continuously in NICU patients.
developmentally supportive care
An approach to neonatal care that creates an environment and provides interventions designed to support the neurodevelop...
ductus venosus
Fetal blood vessel shunting oxygenated blood from umbilical vein directly to inferior vena cava, bypassing the liver.