Athetoid cerebral palsy: brain damage that causes
uncontrollable
movement in the face, body, arms, and legs
more...
Bilirubin: a part of the red blood cell that is left after
the cell dies; too much bilirubin can cause jaundice
Bilirubin nomogram: a graph that helps doctors estimate
risk based on bilirubin level and baby’s age in hours
Exchange transfusion: process of removing and replacing
blood
Hyperbilirubinemia: too much bilirubin
G6PD deficiency: an inherited disease that causes red
blood cells to be destroyed quickly and can cause jaundice in
newborns
Kernicterus: a type of brain damage that includes athetoid
cerebral palsy, hearing loss, and problems with vision and teeth
Jaundice:
yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by too much bilirubin in the
blood
Mental retardation: below average intelligence
more...
Opisthotonos: arching of the baby’s body; the head leans
backwards and the back is bowed (see photo) |
|
Phototherapy: special lights that help get rid of
bilirubin; may be delivered through a blanket or light source around
the baby’s incubator or bassinet
Total serum bilirubin (TSB): bilirubin level measured from
a blood sample
Transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB): screening of bilirubin
level measured with a light meter
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Date:
March 28, 2007
Content source: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental
Disabilities