http://www.preemieinfant.ca/links_glossary.cfm - Edited for what pertains to Eric

Alveoli
These are tiny sacs in the lungs that exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with the bloodstream.

Aorta
This is the main artery leading from the heart. Oxygen-rich blood is supplied to the rest of the body this way.

Apnea
Where there is no breathing for longer than 20 seconds.

Arterial blood gas
This sample of blood is taken from an artery. It is used to measure the oxygen, carbon dioxide and acid levels in the blood.

Arterial catheter
This can measure blood pressure as well as being used to withdraw blood to be tested. A thin tube is placed in your baby's artery to do this.

Bagging
This temporary procedure helps your baby breathe. A small bag is squeezed and oxygen or air flows through the mask on your baby's face.

Biliblanket
This performs the same function as phototherapy therapy lights by removing the bilirubin from your baby's blood. Your baby doesn't need to wear protective eye covers when lying on this blanket.

Bililights (phototherapy)
These lights remove bilirubin from your baby's blood. Your baby will need to wear protective eye covers when under these lights.

Bilirubin
This yellow substance occurs when red blood cells break down. Your baby's skin may take on a yellowish tint because of excess bilirubin. In large quantities, bilirubin may cause a certain form of brain damage.

Blood gas
This measures oxygen, carbon dioxide and acid content in a small blood sample taken from one of your baby's arteries.

Blood pressure
The top number of your baby's blood pressure is called the systolic pressure. This indicates the pressure that is exerted when your baby's heart contracts and sends blood to your baby's body. The lower number, the diastolic pressure indicates the pressure that is exerted between heartbeats.

BPD
This stands for Bronchopulmonary dysplasia. This condition may persist for years if your baby has underdeveloped lungs. The pressure from a ventilator may cause scarring or damage to your baby's delicate lungs. In some cases, if your baby is very premature, they may require extended ventilator support. Some babies do go home on oxygen. The condition is also called Chronic lung disease or CLD.

Bradycardia
This means your baby's heart rate is below 100 beats per minute.

Brain bleed
This indicates hemorrhaging into some part of your baby's brain.

Cardiac monitor
This monitor displays the heart rate of your baby. These monitors will sound an alarm I fyour baby's heart rate drops below 100 beats per minute or is above 200 beats per minute.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
This is a manual way for restarting breathing and a heartbeat, or for maintaining breathing and a heartbeat.

Chronic lung disease (CLD)
See BPD, Bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Complete blood count
Also called a CBC. This test counts number and types of blood cells and can be used to check for infection in your baby.

Corrected age
The actual age your premature baby would be, if he was born on his due date. If he is five months old, but was two months premature, his corrected age would be 3 months.

CPAP
This means continuous positive airway pressure. Your baby's lungs are helped to stay expanded with the introduction of pressurized air. This helps her lungs while inhaling and exhaling. Sometimes your baby is given extra oxygen this was as well.

Ductus arteriosus
This blood vessel joins the aorta with the pulmonary artery. In many premature babies, this vessel is not closed and must be closed by either drugs or surgery. The closing of this vessel enables proper blood and oxygen flow to the lungs.

Dyspnea
This term is used to describe difficulty breathing.

Edema
Fluid retained by the body that causes swelling and puffiness.

Endotracheal tube
The ventilator allows a breath to be delivered directly to your baby's lungs. The endotracheal tube is secured by tape and goes from your baby's mouth or nose into the windpipe. The tube passes through the vocal chords so you will not be able to hear the baby cry until it is removed.

Extubation
This procedure means the removing of your baby's endotracheal tube.

Gavage feedings
This is how your baby may be fed for the first while. A small tube is placed in her nose or mouth and leads right into the stomach.

Hernia
Your premature baby may have a hernia. They are not unusual in preemies. Umbilical hernias can appear at the naval. Inguinal hernias can appear in the groin area. Both are caused by a part of the intestine coming through a small opening in the abdominal wall.

Hyperbilirubinemia
This means there is too much bilirubin in the blood.

Hyperventiliation
This means very rapid breathing.

Incubator or isolette
The incubator provides a warm and humidified environment for your baby. It will automatically warm up or cool down, according to your baby's temperature (if the baby has a skin temperature probe). The small probe on your baby's skin monitors her temperature.

Indomethiacin
This is a drug that is sometimes used to close the patent ductus arteriosus.

Infusion pump
This pump is used to provide exact, measured amounts of IV fluids to your baby.

Intravenous pumps & tubes
The IV provides nutrition and medication to your baby. The most common sites for IV's are your baby's head, hands or feet. The pump is set to administer the prescribed rate of fluid at an hourly rate.

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH)
This means bleeding into the ventricles of the brain.

Low birthweight
This means a baby who weighs less than 2.5 kilograms at birth. (Approximately five and a half pounds).

Nasal CPAP
This stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. Your baby is helped to breathe by small amounts of air and oxygen. It also maintains a small amount of continuous pressure to your baby's lungs.

Nasal gastric tube (feeding tube)
This small tube is inserted through your baby's nose and into his stomach. Liquids for feeding are delivered through this tube.

Nasal prongs
These little prongs sit inside your baby's nostrils and provide very low amount of oxygen.

Neonate
This is how an infant is described for the first thirty days of their life.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
This specialized unit is where premature babies, or very sick babies are monitored and cared for. It can also be referred to as Special Care Nursery (SCN) or Intensive Care Nursery (ICN).

Oxygen saturation monitors
This machine monitors oxygen at the skin of your baby. The oxygen measurement is different from the pulse oximeter, that's why the number on the monitor are different. This machine can measure both oxygen and carbon dioxide. (Some babies do only Oxygen saturation, others do both).

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
This describes a condition where the fetal blood vessel linking the aorta and the pulmonary artery does not close properly. This is not an uncommon condition in premature infants.

Phototherapy
The use of bililights to treat hyperbilirubinemia.

Premature infants
This is a baby born before 37 weeks gestation. These babies are often referred to as 'preemies'.

Pulmonary hypertension
This means that the blood vessels in the lungs are unable to relax and open.

Pulse oximeter
This measures your baby's blood oxygen. The tiny light measures the amount of oxygen that is being carried in your baby's red blood cells and displays it on the monitor.

Respirators
These machines help your baby breath. Many premature babies have trouble breathing due to underdeveloped lungs. The respirator/ventilator can do all of your baby's breathing for them, or just part of it.

Respiratory monitor
This monitor displays your baby's breathing rate. It is quite common for premature babies to stop breathing for more than 20 seconds. The alarm on the monitor will sound during one of these spells.

Retinopathy of prematurity
This is seen in many premature infants. There is abnormal growth in the tiny blood vessels in the eye. The vessels have not fully developed when a baby is born prematurely.

Surfactant
This soapy-like substance keeps air sacs in the lungs from collapsing and sticking together. Very premature babies are unable to make this substance in their lungs and are given a man-made surfactant.

Tachycardia
This means a very fast heart rate.

Tachypnea
This means a very fast breathing rate.

Temperature probe
This coated wire is attached to your baby's skin and measures his temperature. This helps to regulate the required temperature of the incubator or isolette.

Ultrasound (head)
This standard test takes as ultrasound image of your baby's head to check for areas of bleeding from weakened or broken blood vessels in the brain.

Ventilators
These machines are also known as respirators. Both help your baby breath. The ventilator/respirator can do all of your baby's breathing for them, or just part of it.