Newborn Complications
1. Identify which babies are at risk for respiratory distress. Describe the clinical
presentation (signs and symptoms) of a baby in respiratory distress. What
diagnostic tests and labs are performed to rule out sepsis?
Premature babies are at risk for respiratory distress. Clinical presentation is tachypnea,
nasal flaring, chest retractions, or grunting. Diagnostic tests and labs are CBC, CRP,
blood cultures, chest/abdominal x-rays, lumbar puncture and urine culture.
2. What is transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN)? How is it treated? Which
delivery mode is more likely to result in TTN and why?
TTN-retained lung fluid, mild respiratory distress presents early and clears quickly.
Treatment is by oxygen, CPAP, fluids, and antibiotics.
3. What is meconium aspiration syndrome? How is it treated? What is a
pneumothorax? What causes it? How is it treated?
Meconium aspiration syndrome is severe respiratory distress presents early and can last
weeks. It is treated by oxygen, ventilation support, surfactant, vasopressors, nitric oxide
and ECMO. It is pneumothorax caused by air leak. It can be self-resolve, oxygen, needle
aspirate or chest tube.
4. Why are premature babies prone to respiratory distress? List the various types of
oxygen support used for babies in respiratory distress? List six additional
problems, other than respiratory distress that premature babies often encounter.
Premature babies prone to respiratory distress because their respiratory system is not fully
developed and does not have enough surfactant. Nasal canula, CPAP, PPV, ECMO. Patent
ductus arteriosus, jaundice, muscle weakness, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, infections,
and intraventricular hemorrhage
5. What is necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
NEC is an acute inflammatory disease of the GI mucosa, commonly complicated by
bowel necrosis and perforation.
What are the usual causes of this condition?
The cause is lack of oxygen during a difficult delivery may be a contributing factor.
When there’s reduced oxygen or blood flow to the intestine, it can become weak.
6. Why are premature babies prone to anemia? What complications commonly result
from anemia? How is it treated? What is intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH)?
What causes this condition? Name one simple nursing intervention that can reduce
the incidence of IVH.
Babies born prematurely are especially prone to anemia. This is due to several reasons,
including a drop in an important hormone (erythropoietin or EPO) following birth. This
hormone is responsible for initiating red blood cell production. Treated transfusions and
1. Identify which babies are at risk for respiratory distress. Describe the clinical
presentation (signs and symptoms) of a baby in respiratory distress. What
diagnostic tests and labs are performed to rule out sepsis?
Premature babies are at risk for respiratory distress. Clinical presentation is tachypnea,
nasal flaring, chest retractions, or grunting. Diagnostic tests and labs are CBC, CRP,
blood cultures, chest/abdominal x-rays, lumbar puncture and urine culture.
2. What is transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN)? How is it treated? Which
delivery mode is more likely to result in TTN and why?
TTN-retained lung fluid, mild respiratory distress presents early and clears quickly.
Treatment is by oxygen, CPAP, fluids, and antibiotics.
3. What is meconium aspiration syndrome? How is it treated? What is a
pneumothorax? What causes it? How is it treated?
Meconium aspiration syndrome is severe respiratory distress presents early and can last
weeks. It is treated by oxygen, ventilation support, surfactant, vasopressors, nitric oxide
and ECMO. It is pneumothorax caused by air leak. It can be self-resolve, oxygen, needle
aspirate or chest tube.
4. Why are premature babies prone to respiratory distress? List the various types of
oxygen support used for babies in respiratory distress? List six additional
problems, other than respiratory distress that premature babies often encounter.
Premature babies prone to respiratory distress because their respiratory system is not fully
developed and does not have enough surfactant. Nasal canula, CPAP, PPV, ECMO. Patent
ductus arteriosus, jaundice, muscle weakness, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, infections,
and intraventricular hemorrhage
5. What is necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
NEC is an acute inflammatory disease of the GI mucosa, commonly complicated by
bowel necrosis and perforation.
What are the usual causes of this condition?
The cause is lack of oxygen during a difficult delivery may be a contributing factor.
When there’s reduced oxygen or blood flow to the intestine, it can become weak.
6. Why are premature babies prone to anemia? What complications commonly result
from anemia? How is it treated? What is intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH)?
What causes this condition? Name one simple nursing intervention that can reduce
the incidence of IVH.
Babies born prematurely are especially prone to anemia. This is due to several reasons,
including a drop in an important hormone (erythropoietin or EPO) following birth. This
hormone is responsible for initiating red blood cell production. Treated transfusions and
