Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Click the cursor on any underlined term to hear it pronounced.

A

abortion Loss of pregnancy before the fetus is viable outside the uterus; miscarriage.

abruptio placentae Partial or total premature separation of a normally implanted placenta.

acanthosis nigricans Hyperpigmentation and thickening of the skin associated with chronic hyperinsulinemia.

accommodation The process of changing one's cognitive structures to include data from recent experiences.

acellular vaccine A vaccine that uses proteins from the microorganism rather than the whole cell to stimulate the process of active immunity.

acidemia Decreased blood pH.

acidosis Condition caused by excess acid in the blood.

acrocyanosis Cyanosis of the extremities.

acrosomal reaction Breakdown of the hyaluronic acid in the corona radiata by enzymes from the heads of sperm; allows one spermatozoon to penetrate the ovum zona pellucida.

active acquired immunity Formation of antibodies by the pregnant woman in response to illness or immunization.

active awake state State when the newborn is aware of their surroundings.

active immunity Stimulation of antibody production without causing clinical disease.

acute pain Sudden pain of short duration, associated with a tissue-damaging stimulus.

adaptation phase Period during a crisis when the child and family meet the challenge and use resources effectively.

adaptive functioning The ability of an individual to meet the standards expected for his or her age by his or her cultural group.

adjustment phase Period just after a family is confronted by a crisis, characterized by disorganization and unsuccessful attempts to deal with the problem.

advance directives A patient's living will or appointed durable power of attorney for health care decisions.

adventitious Breath sounds that are not normally heard, such as crackles and rhonchi.

advocacy Acting to safeguard and advance the interests of another.

affect Outward manifestation of feeling or emotion; the tone of a person's reaction or response to people or events.

afterpains Cramplike pains due to contractions of the uterus that occur after childbirth. They are more common in multiparas, tend to be most severe during nursing, and last 2 to 3 days.

agoraphobia Anxiety of being in places or situations from which escape may be difficult or embarrassing, or in which help may not be available.

AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome) A sexually transmitted viral disease that so far has proved fatal in 100% of cases.

airway resistance The effort or force needed to move oxygen through the trachea to the lungs.

alkalemia Increased blood pH.

alkalosis Condition caused by too little acid in the blood.

allergen An antigen capable of inducing hypersensitivity.

alveolar hypoventilation The condition in which the volume of air entering the alveoli during gas exchange is inadequate to meet the body's metabolic needs.

amenorrhea Suppression or absence of menstruation.

amniocentesis Removal of amniotic fluid by insertion of a needle into the amniotic sac; amniotic fluid is used to assess fetal health or maturity.

amnion The inner of the two membranes that form the sac containing the fetus and the amniotic fluid.

amniotic fluid The liquid surrounding the fetus in utero. It absorbs shocks, permits fetal movement, and prevents heat loss.

amniotomy The artificial rupturing of the amniotic membrane.

ampulla The outer two-thirds of the fallopian tube; fertilization of the ovum by a spermatozoon usually occurs here.

anemia Reduction in the number of red blood cells, the quantity of hemoglobin, and the volume of packed red cells per 100 mL of blood to below-normal levels.

antepartum Time between conception and the onset of labor; usually used to describe the period during which a woman is pregnant.

anthropometric measurement  The term used to refer to growth assessment of various parts of the body.

antibody A protein capable of reacting to a specific antigen.

anticipatory guidance The process of understanding upcoming developmental needs and then teaching caretakers to meet those needs.

antigen A foreign substance that triggers an immune system response.

anxiolysis Sedation by medication.

apgar score A scoring system used to evaluate newborns at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth. The total score is achieved by assessing five signs: heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color. Each of the signs is assigned a score of 0, 1, or 2. The highest possible score is 10.

apnea Cessation of respiration lasting longer than 20 seconds.

areflexia No reflex response to verbal, sensory, or pain stimulation.

areola Pigmented ring surrounding the nipple of the breast.

artificial insemination Introduction of viable semen into the vagina by artificial means for the purpose of impregnation.

artificial rupture of membranes (AROM) Use of a device such as an amnihook or allis forceps to rupture the amniotic membranes.

assent Voluntary agreement to participate in a research project or to accept treatment.

assessment The process of collecting information about a child and family to develop the nursing diagnoses. The assessment process includes the patient history, physical examination, and analysis of the collected data to identify relevant information.

assimilation The process of incorporating new experiences into one's cognitive awareness

assisted reproductive technology (ART) Term used to describe the highly technologic approaches used to produce pregnancy.

assistive technology A piece of equipment or system modified or customized to improve or maintain functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

associative play A type of play that emerges in preschool years when children interact with one another, engaging in similar activities and participating in groups.

atopy A hereditary allergic tendency.

audiography A test used to assess hearing in which sounds of various pitches and intensity are presented to children through earphones.

aura Subjective sensation, often olfactory or visual in nature, that is an early sign of a seizure.

auscultation The technique of listening to sounds produced by the airway, lungs, stomach, heart, and blood vessels to identify their characteristics. Auscultation is usually performed with the stethoscope to enhance the sounds heard.

autografting Use of healthy skin taken from a nonburned area of the child's body.

autosomal chromosomes The 22 pairs of chromosomes that are responsible for characteristics other than determination of sex.

autosome A chromosome that is not a sex chromosome.

azotemia Accumulation of nitrogenous wastes in the blood.

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B

Babinski reflex Reflex found normally in infants under 6 months of age in which the great toe dorsiflexes when the sole of the foot is stimulated.

bag of waters (BOW) The membrane containing the amniotic fluid and the fetus.

ballottement A technique of palpation to detect or examine a floating object in the body. In obstetrics, the fetus, when pushed, floats away and then returns to touch the examiner's fingers.

basal body temperature (BBT) The lowest waking temperature.

baseline rate The average fetal heart rate observed during a 10-minute period of monitoring.

behavior modification A technique used to reinforce desirable behaviors, helping the child to replace maladaptive behaviors with more appropriate ones.

benign A growth that does not endanger life or health.

binocularity Ability of the eyes to function together.

biophysical profile Assessment of five variables in the fetus that help to evaluate fetal risk: breathing movement, body movement, tone, amniotic fluid volume, and fetal heart rate reactivity.

biotherapy Use of biologic response modifiers to treat cancer.

birth plan Decisions made by the expectant couple about aspects of the childbearing experience that are most important to them.

blastocyst The inner solid mass of cells within the morula.

bloody show Pink-tinged mucous secretions resulting from rupture of small capillaries as the cervix effaces and dilates.

body fluid Body water that has substances (solutes) dissolved in it.

Body Mass Index (BMI) A calculation (kilograms of weight/m2 of height) used to determine the proportion between a child's height and weight.

boggy uterus A term used to describe the uterine fundus when it is not firmly contracted after the birth of the baby and in the early postpartum period; excessive bleeding occurs from the placental site and maternal hemorrhage may occur.

bone age A radiographic image of the bones of the wrist used to evaluate the stage of bone ossification.

Braxton Hicks contractions Intermittent painless contractions of the uterus that may occur every 10 to 20 minutes. They occur more frequently toward the end of pregnancy and are sometimes mistaken for true labor signs.

Brazleton's neonatal behavioral assessment A brief examination used to identify the infant's behavioral states and responses.

breast self-examination Recommended monthly procedure by which women may detect changes or abnormalities in their breasts.

breasts Mammary glands.

brown adipose tissue (BAT) Fat deposits in neonates that provide greater heat-generating activity than ordinary fat. Found around the kidneys, adrenals, and neck; between the scapulas; and behind the sternum. Also called brown fat.

buffer Related acid-base pair that gives up or takes up hydrogen ions as needed to prevent large changes in the pH of a solution.

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C

calorie Amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of water 1 degree Celsius.

capacitation Removal of the plasma membrane overlying the spermatozoa's acrosomal area with the loss of seminal plasma proteins and the glycoprotein coat. If the glycoprotein coat is not removed, the sperm will not be able to penetrate the ovum.

caput succedaneum Swelling or edema occurring in or under the fetal scalp during labor.

carcinogens Chemicals or processes that, when combined with genetic traits and in interaction with one another, cause cancer.

cardinal movements of labor The positional changes of the fetus as it moves through the birth canal during labor and birth. The positional changes are descent, flexion, internal rotation, extension, restitution, and external rotation.

cardiopulmonary adaptation Adaptation of the neonates cardiovascular and respiratory systems to life outside the womb.

case management A process of coordinating the delivery of health care services in a manner that focuses on both quality and cost outcomes.

case manager Person who coordinates health care to prevent gaps or overlaps.

cephalhematoma Subcutaneous swelling containing blood found on the head of an infant several days after birth, which usually disappears within a few weeks to 2 months.

cephalocaudal development The process by which development proceeds from the head downward through the body and toward the feet.

cerebral edema Increase in intracellular and extracellular fluid in the brain that results from anoxia, vasodilation, or vascular stasis.

cerebral perfusion pressure Amount of pressure needed to ensure that adequate oxygen and nutrients will be delivered to the brain.

certified nurse-midwife (CNM) An RN who has received special training and education in the care of the family during childbearing and the prenatal, labor and birth, and postpartal periods. After a period of formal education, the nurse-midwife takes a certification test to become a CNM.

cervical cap A cup-shaped device placed over the cervix to prevent pregnancy.

cervix The "neck" between the external os and the body of the uterus. The lower end of the cervix extends into the vagina.

Chadwick's sign Violet bluish color of the vaginal mucous membrane caused by increased vascularity; visible from about the fourth week of pregnancy.

chemical conjunctivitis Irritation of the mucus membrane lining of the eyelid; may be due to instillation of silver nitrate ophthalmic drops.

chemotherapy Treatment to combat cancer that involves drugs taken orally, intravenously, intrathecally, or by injection, which kill both normal and cancerous cells.

child life specialist Trained professional who plans therapeutic activities for hospitalized children.

child sexual abuse The exploitation of a child for the sexual gratification of an adult.

chloasma Brownish pigmentation over the bridge of the nose and the cheeks during pregnancy and in some women who are taking oral contraceptives. Also called mask of pregnancy.

cholestasis Disruption of bile flow.

chondrolysis The breaking down and absorption of cartilage.

chorion The fetal membrane closest to the intrauterine wall that gives rise to the placenta and continues as the outer membrane surrounding the amnion.

Chorionic villus sampling Procedure in which a specimen of the chorionic villi is obtained from the edge of the developing placenta at about 8 weeks' gestation. The sample can be used for chromosomal, enzyme, and DNA tests.

chromosomes The threadlike structures within the nucleus of a cell that carry the genes.

chronic condition A health condition that lasts or is expected to last 3 months or more.

chronic pain Persistent pain lasting longer than 6 months, generally associated with a prolonged disease process.

chronic vomiting Low grade nearly daily emesis.

circumcision Surgical removal of the prepuce (foreskin) of the penis.

circumferential Injury completely surrounding the thorax or an extremity.

cleavage Rapid mitotic division of the zygote; cells produced are called blastomeres.

climacteric The period of time that marks the cessation of a woman's reproductive function; the "change of life" or menopause.

clinical judgment Analyzing and synthesizing data from the patient history, physical examination, screening tests, and laboratory studies to make decisions about the child's health problems. This is also called diagnostic reasoning.

clinical practice guidelines Outlines detailing specific medical and nursing assessments and interventions during specific time intervals for a specific condition. This guideline is often adopted in an institution for all health care providers to follow so that quality of care is increased and costs of care are minimized.

clonic Alternating muscular contraction and relaxation; often used to describe seizure activity.

cognitive therapy A therapeutic approach that attempts to help the person recognize automatic thought patterns that lead to unpleasant feelings.

coitus interruptus Method of contraception in which the male withdraws his penis from the vagina prior to ejaculation.

cold stress Excessive heat loss resulting in compensatory mechanisms (increased respirations and nonshivering thermogenesis) to maintain core body temperature.

colostrum Secretion from the breast before the onset of true lactation; contains mainly serum and white blood corpuscles. It has a high protein content, provides some immune properties, and cleanses the neonate's intestinal tract of mucus and meconium.

colposcopy The use of an instrument inserted into the vagina to examine the cervical and vaginal tissues by means of a magnifying lens.

coma State of unconsciousness in which the child cannot be aroused, even with powerful stimuli.

communicable disease An illness that is transmitted directly or indirectly from one person to another.

compartment syndrome A condition of increased pressure in a limited space which compromises circulation and tissue function.

complementary therapy Approaches to health care that are usually not part of conventional western medicine; sometimes called "alternative therapy."

compliance Amount of distention or expansion the ventricles can achieve to increase stroke volume.

condom A rubber sheath that covers the penis to prevent conception or disease.

conduction Loss of heat to a cooler surface by direct skin contact.

conductive hearing loss Hearing loss caused by inadequate conduction of sound from the outer to the middle ear.

conjugate vera The true conjugate, which extends from the middle of the sacral promontory to the middle of the pubic crest.

conscious sedation Light sedation during which the child maintains airway reflexes and responds to verbal stimuli.

conservation The knowledge that matter is not changed when its form is altered.

constipation Difficult and infrequent defecation with passage of hard, dry stool.

continuity of care An interdisciplinary process of facilitating a patient's transition between and among settings based on changing needs and available resources.

continuum of care A system of care that includes each of the following elements: primary care, illness or injury prevention, acute care in the hospital, and restorative care in either the home or a rehabilitation center until patient is reintegrated into family and community.

contraction stress test A method of assessing the reaction of the fetus to the stress of uterine contractions. This test may be utilized when contractions are occurring spontaneously or when contractions are artificially induced by OCT (oxytocin challenge test) or BSST (breast self-stimulation test).

convection Loss of heat from the warm body surface to cooler air currents.

cooperative play A type of play that emerges in school years when children join into groups to achieve a goal or play a game.

coping The cognitive and behavioral responses that manage specific internal and external demands exceeding a person's resources, enabling the person to solve problems and to respond emotionally.

cornua The elongated portions of the uterus where the fallopian tubes open.

corpus luteum A small yellow body that develops within a ruptured ovarian follicle; it secretes progesterone in the second half of the menstrual cycle and atrophies about 3 days before the beginning of menstrual flow. If pregnancy occurs, the corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone until the placenta takes over this function.

corpus The upper two-thirds of the uterus.

cotyledon One of the rounded portions into which the placenta's uterine surface is divided, consisting of a mass of villi, fetal vessels, and an intervillous space.

couvade In some cultures, the male's observance of certain rituals and taboos to signify the transition to fatherhood.

crowning Appearance of the presenting fetal part at the vaginal orifice during labor.

crying state State of activity when the newborn is vocally expressing needs.

Cushing's triad Reflex response associated with increased intracranial pressure or compromised blood flow to the brainstem; characterized by hypertension, increased systolic pressure with wide pulse pressure, bradycardia, and irregular respirations.

cyclic vomiting Repeated severe vomiting of an episodic nature.

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D

deamination Removal of an amino group from an amino compound.

death anxiety A feeling of apprehension or fear of death.

death imagery Any reference to death or death-related topics, such as going away, separation, funerals, and dying, given in response to a picture or story that would not usually stimulate other children to discuss death-related topics.

debridement Enzyme action to clean a lesion and dissolve fibrin clots or scabs; or removal of dead tissue to speed the healing process.

deceleration Periodic decrease in the baseline fetal heart rate.

decibels Units used to measure the loudness of sounds.

decidua basalis The part of the decidua that unites with the chorion to form the placenta. It is shed in lochial discharge after childbirth.

decidua capsularis The part of the decidua surrounding the chorionic sac.

decidua vera (parietalis) Nonplacental decidua lining the uterus.

deep sedation A controlled state of depressed consciousness or unconsciousness in which the child may experience partial or complete loss of protective reflexes.

defense mechanisms Techniques used by the ego to unconsciously change reality, thereby protecting itself from excessive anxiety.

dehydration The state of body water deficit.

Depo-Provera A long acting, injectable progestin contraceptive.

dermatophytoses Fungal infections that affect primarily the skin but may affect the hair and nails.

desaturated blood Blood with a lower than normal oxygen level resulting when a heart defect causes oxygenated and unoxygenated blood to mix.

development An increase in capability or function.

developmental surveillance A continuous process of skilled observations of a child's fine and gross motor, language, and psychosocial behavior milestones through-out encounters during child health visits.

diagonal conjugate Distance from the lower posterior border of the symphysis pubis to the sacral promontory; may be obtained by manual measurement.

dialysate The solution used in dialysis.

diaphragm A flexible disk that covers the cervix to prevent pregnancy.

diarrhea Frequent passage of abnormally watery stool.

diastasis recti abdominis Separation of the recti abdominis muscles along the median line. In women, it is seen with repeated childbirths or multiple gestations. In the newborn, it is usually caused by incomplete development.

Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) A set of nutrient values that can be used to assess and plan intake for individuals of different ages.

digitalization Process of giving a higher than normal dose of digoxin initially to speed response to the drug.

diploid number of chromosomes Containing a set of maternal and a set of paternal chromosomes; in humans, the diploid number of chromosomes is 46.

direct transmission The passage of an infectious disease through physical contact between the source of the pathogen and a new host.

disability Impairment in one or more of five categories of function--cognition, communication, motor abilities, social abilities, or patterns of interactions.

dislocation Displacement of a bone from its normal articulation with a joint.

distraction The ability to focus attention on something other than pain, such as an activity, music, or a story.

doula A supportive companion who accompanies a laboring woman to provide emotional, physical, and informational support and acts as an advocate for the woman and her family.

dramatic play A type of play in which a child acts out the drama of daily life.

ductus arteriosus A communication channel between the main pulmonary artery and the aorta of the fetus. It is obliterated after birth by rising Po2 and changes in intravascular pressure in the presence of normal pulmonary functioning. It normally becomes a ligament after birth but sometimes remains patent (patent ductus arteriosus, a treatable condition).

ductus venosus A fetal blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood between the umbilical vein and the inferior vena cava, bypassing the liver; it becomes a ligament after birth.

duration The time length of each contraction, measured from the beginning of the increment to the completion of the decrement.

dysmenorrhea Painful menstruation.

dyspareunia Painful intercourse.

dysphonia Muffled, hoarse, or absent voice sounds.

dysplasia Abnormal development resulting in altered size, shape, and cell organization.

dyspnea Shortness of breath; difficulty in breathing.

dystocia Difficult labor due to mechanical factors produced by the fetus or the maternal pelvis, or due to inadequate uterine or other muscular activity.

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E

early postpartal hemorrhage See postpartal hemorrhage.

ecchymosis A bruise.

echolalia A compulsive parroting of what is heard.

eclampsia A major complication of pregnancy. Its cause is unknown; it occurs more often in the primigravida and is accompanied by elevated blood pressure, albuminuria, oliguria, tonic and clonic convulsions, and coma. It may occur during pregnancy (usually after the 20th week of gestation) or within 48 hours after childbirth.

ecologic theory A theory of development that emphasizes the importance of interactions between the developing child and the settings in which the child lives.

ectoderm Outer layer of cells in the developing embryo that gives rise to the skin, nails, and hair.

ectopic pregnancy Implantation of the fertilized ovum outside the uterine cavity; common sites are the abdomen, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Also called oocyesis.

effacement Thinning and shortening of the cervix that occurs late in pregnancy or during labor.

effective communication Information exchanged among the nurse, parent, and child that is clearly understood by all persons involved in the conversation.

effleurage A light stroking movement of the fingertips over the abdominal area during labor; used to provide distraction during labor contractions.

electroanalgesia A method of delivering electrical stimulation to the skin, to compete with pain stimuli for transmission to the spinal cord; also known as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

electrolytes Charged particles (ions) dissolved in body fluid.

emancipated minors Self-supporting adolescents under 18 years of age not subject to parental control.

embryo The early stage of development of the young of any organism. In humans the embryonic period is from about 2 to 8 weeks of gestation, and is characterized by cellular differentiation and predominantly hyperplastic growth.

embryonic membranes The amnion and chorion.

emotional abuse Shaming, ridiculing, embarrassing, or insulting a child.

emotional neglect A caretaker's inability to meet the psychosocial needs of a child.

en face An assumed position in which one person looks at another and maintains his or her face in the same vertical plane as that of the other.

encephalopathy Cerebral dysfunction resulting from an insult (toxin, injury, inflammation, or anoxic event) of limited duration; the tissue damage is often permanent, but the dysfunction may improve over time.

endoderm The inner layer of cells in the developing embryo that give rise to internal organs such as the intestines.

endogenous pyrogens Pyrogens released in response to an invasive organism that travel through the circulatory system to the hypothalamus, where they trigger the production of prostaglandins.

endometriosis Ectopic endometrium located outside the uterus in the pelvic cavity. Symptoms may include pelvic pain or pressure, dysmenorrhea, dispareunia, abnormal bleeding from the uterus or rectum, and sterility.

endometritis Infection of the endometrium.

end-stage renal disease Irreversible kidney failure.

engagement The entrance of the fetal presenting part into the superior pelvic strait and the beginning of the descent through the pelvic canal.

engrossment Characteristic sense of absorption, preoccupation, and interest in the infant demonstrated by fathers during early contact with their infants.

enuresis Involuntary micturition by a child who has reached the age at which bladder control is expected.

epidural block Regional anesthesia effective through the first and second stages of labor.

episiotomy Incision of the perineum to facilitate birth and to avoid laceration of the perineum.

Epstein's pearls Small, white blebs found along the gum margins and at the junction of the hard and soft palates; commonly seen in the newborn as a normal manifestation.

equianalgesic dose The amount of a drug, whether administered orally or parenterally, needed to produce the same analgesic effect.

equinus A condition that limits dorsiflexion to less than normal; usually associated with clubfoot.

Erb-Duchenne palsy Paralysis of the arm and chest wall as a result of a birth injury to the brachial plexus or a subsequent injury to the fifth and sixth cervical nerves.

erythema toxicum Innocuous pink papular rash of unknown cause with superimposed vesicles; it appears within 24 to 48 hours after birth and resolves spontaneously within a few days.

erythroblastosis fetalis Hemolytic disease of the newborn characterized by anemia, jaundice, enlargement of the liver and spleen, and generalized edema. Caused by isoimmunization due to Rh incompatibility or ABO incompatibility.

erythropoiesis Formation of red blood cells.

eschar Slough or layer of dead skin or tissue.

escharotomy Incision into constricting dead tissue of a burn injury to restore peripheral circulation.

estimated date of birth (EDB) During a pregnancy, the approximate date when childbirth will occur; the "due date."

estrogens The hormones estradiol and estrone, produced by the ovary.

euthyroid Normal thyroid state.

evaporation Loss of heat incurred when water on the skin surface is converted to a vapor.

evidence-based practice Use of a body of scientific knowledge to plan health care services.

expressive jargon Use of unintelligible words with normal speech intonations as if truly communicating in words; common in toddlerhood.

extracellular fluid The fluid in the body that is outside the cells.

extravasation Damage that occurs when a chemotherapeutic drug leaks into the soft tissue surrounding the infusion site.

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F

fallopian tubes Tubes that extend from the lateral angle of the uterus and terminate near the ovary; they serve as a passageway for the ovum from the ovary to the uterus and for the spermatozoa from the uterus toward the ovary. Also called oviducts and uterine tubes.

family crisis An event occurring when a family encounters problems that for a time seem insurmountable and with which the family is unable to cope in its usual ways.

family-centered care A philosophy of care that integrates the family's values and potential contributions in the plans for and provision of care to the child.

female reproductive cycle (FRC) The monthly rhythmic changes in sexually mature women.

fertility awareness methods Natural family planning.

fertilization Impregnation of an ovum by a spermatozoon; conception.

fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) Syndrome caused by maternal alcohol ingestion and characterized by microcephaly, intrauterine growth retardation, short palpebral fissures, and maxillary hypoplasia.

fetal attitude Relationship of the fetal parts to one another. Normal fetal attitude is one of moderate flexion of the arms onto the chest and flexion of the legs onto the abdomen.

fetal blood sampling Blood sample drawn from the fetal scalp (or from the fetus in breech position) to evaluate the acid-base status of the fetus.

fetal lie Relationship of the cephalocaudal axis (spinal column) of the fetus to the cephalocaudal axis (spinal column) of the woman. The fetus may be in a longitudinal or transverse lie.

fetal movement record See fetal activity diary.

fetal position Relationship of the landmark on the presenting fetal part to the front, sides, or back of the maternal pelvis.

fetal presentation The fetal body part that enters the maternal pelvis first. The three possible presentations are cephalic, shoulder, or breech.

fetus The child in utero from about the seventh to ninth week of gestation until birth.

fibrocystic breast disease Benign breast disorder characterized by a thickening of normal breast tissue and the formation of cysts.

filtration Movement into or out of capillaries as the net result of several opposing forces.

fimbria Any structure resembling a fringe; the fringelike extremity of the fallopian tubes.

focal Specific area of the brain; often used to describe seizures or neurologic deficits.

folic acid An important vitamin directly related to the outcome of pregnancy and to maternal and fetal health.

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) Hormone produced by the anterior pituitary during the first half of the menstrual cycle, stimulating development of the graafian follicle.

fontanelle In the fetus, an unossified space or soft spot consisting of a strong band of connective tissue lying between the cranial bones of the skull.

food insecurity An inability or uncertainty that one will be able to acquire or consume adequate quality or quantity of foods in socially acceptable ways.

food jags Eating only a few foods for several days or weeks.

food security Access at all times to enough nourishment for an active, healthy life.

foramen ovale Special opening between the atria of the fetal heart. Normally, the opening closes shortly after birth; if it remains open, it can be repaired surgically.

foremilk Breast milk obtained at the beginning of the breastfeeding episode.

frequency The time between the beginning of one contraction and the beginning of the next contraction.

fundus The upper portion of the uterus between the fallopian tubes.

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G

galactorrhea Nipple discharge.

gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) procedure Retrieval of oocytes by laparoscopy; immediately combining oocytes with washed, motile sperm in a catheter; and placement of the gametes into the fimbriated end of the fallopian tube.

gamete Female or male germ cell; contains a haploid number of chromosomes.

gametogenesis The process by which germ cells are produced.

genotype The genetic composition of an individual.

gestation Period of intrauterine development from conception through birth; pregnancy.

gestational age assessment tools Systems used to evaluate the newborn's external physical characteristics and neurologic and/or neuromuscular development to accurately determine gestational age. These replace or supplement the traditional calculation from the woman's last menstrual period.

gestational diabetes mellitus A form of diabetes of variable severity with onset or first recognition during pregnancy.

gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) Disorder classified into two types: benign (hydatidiform mole) and malignant.

glucagon A hormone produced by the pancreas that helps release stored glucose from the liver.

gluconeogenesis Formation of glycogen from noncarbohydrate sources such as protein or fat.

glycosuria Abnormal amount of glucose in the urine.

goiter Enlargement of the thyroid gland.

gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) A hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that stimulates the anterior pituitary to secrete FSH and LH.

Goodell's sign Softening of the cervix that occurs during the second month of pregnancy.

graafian follicle The ovarian cyst containing the ripe ovum; it secretes estrogens.

graft-versus-host disease A series of immunologic responses mounted by the host of a transplanted organ with the purpose of destroying the transplant cells.

grasping reflex Normal newborn reflex elicited by stimulating the palm with a finger or object, resulting in newborn firmly holding on to the finger or object.

gravida A pregnant woman.

growth An increase in physical size.

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H

habituation Infant's ability to diminish innate responses to specific repeated stimuli.

haploid number of chromosomes Half the diploid number of chromosomes. In humans there are 23 chromosomes, the haploid number, in each germ cell.

harlequin sign A rare color change that occurs between the longitudinal halves of the newborn's body, such that the dependent half is noticeably pinker than the superior half when the newborn is placed on one side; it is of no pathologic significance.

health supervision The process of health promotion services, growth and development monitoring, and disease and injury prevention throughout the child's life.

Hegar's sign A softening of the lower uterine segment found upon palpation in the second or third month of pregnancy.

HELLP syndrome A cluster of changes including hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count; sometimes associated with severe preeclampsia.

hemarthrosis Bleeding into joint spaces.

hematopoiesis Blood cell production.

hemodynamics Pressures generated by blood and passage of blood through the heart and pulmonary system.

hemoglobinopathy Disease characterized by abnormal hemoglobin.

hemolytic disease of the newborn Hyperbilirubinemia secondary to Rh incompatibility.

hemosiderosis Increased storage of iron in body tissues; associated with diseases involving the destruction of red blood cells.

hernia Protrusion or projection of a body part or structure through the muscle wall of the cavity that normally contains it.

hindmilk Breast milk released after initial letdown reflex; high in fat content.

hormone replacement therapy (HRT ) Administration of hormones, usually estrogen and a progestin, to alleviate the symptoms of menopause.

hormone A chemical substance produced by a gland or organ and carried in the bloodstream to another part of the body where it has a regulatory effect on particular cells.

hospice A philosophy of care that focuses on helping persons with short life expectancies to live their remaining lives to the fullest--without pain and with choices and dignity.

Huhner test Postcoital examination to evaluate sperm and cervical mucus.

human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) A hormone produced by the chorionic villi and found in the urine of pregnant women. Also called prolan.

Human Genome Project An international effort to determine the exact DNA sequences of every human gene.

hydatidiform mole Degenerative process in chorionic villi, giving rise to multiple cysts and rapid growth of the uterus with hemorrhage.

hydramnios An excess of amniotic fluid, leading to overdistention of the uterus. Frequently seen in diabetic pregnant women, even if there is no coexisting fetal anomaly. Also called polyhydramnios.

hydronephrosis Collection of urine in the renal pelvis as a result of obstructed outflow.

hydrops fetalis See erythroblastosis fetalis.

hyperbilirubinemia Excessive amount of bilirubin in the blood; indicative of hemolytic processes due to blood incompatibility, intrauterine infection, septicemia, neonatal renal infection, and other disorders.

hypercapnia Greater than normal amounts of carbon dioxide in the blood.

hyperemesis gravidarum Excessive vomiting during pregnancy, leading to dehydration and starvation.

hyperinsulinemia Elevated insulin levels in the blood        

hypersensitivity response An overreaction of the immune system, responsible for allergic reactions.

hypertonic fluid Fluid that is more concentrated than normal body fluid.

hypotonic fluid Fluid that is more dilute than normal body fluid.

hypoxemia Lower than normal amounts of oxygen in the blood.

hypoxia Lower than normal amounts of oxygen in the tissues.

hysterosalpingogram Result of testing by instillation of radiopaque substance into the uterine cavity to visualize the uterus and fallopian tubes.

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immunodeficiency A state of the immune system in which it cannot cope effectively with foreign antigens.

immunoglobulin A protein that functions as an antibody. Immunoglobulins are responsible for humoral immunity.

in vitro fertilization (IVF) Procedure during which oocytes are removed from the ovary, mixed with spermatozoa, fertilized, and incubated in a glass petri dish; then up to four viable embryos are placed in the woman's uterus.

inborn errors of metabolism Inherited biochemical abnormalities of the urea cycle and amino acid and organic acid metabolism.

indirect transmission The passage of an infectious disease involving survival of pathogens outside humans before they invade a new host.

Individualized Education Plan Formulation of a specific learning approach for a child with a physical or mental handicap, following thorough assessment of the child's capabilities and areas of need.

Individualized Transition Plan A plan that focuses on assisting the individual in moving successfully from school into the community.

infant mortality rate Number of deaths of infants under 1 year of age per 1000 live births in a given population per year.

infant of a diabetic mother (IDM) At-risk infant born to a woman previously diagnosed as diabetic, or who develops symptoms of diabetes during pregnancy.

infectious disease Illness, caused by a microorganism, that is commonly communicated from one host (human or otherwise) to another.

infertility Diminished ability to conceive.

informed consent A legal concept that protects a person's rights to autonomy and self-determination by specifying that no action may be taken without that person's prior understanding and freely given consent.

inspection The technique of purposeful observation by carefully looking at the characteristics of the child's physical features and behaviors. Physical feature characteristics include size, shape, color, movement, position, and location.

insulin resistance An alteration of the insulin receptor that signals the presence of insulin in the interior of cells

intensity The strength of a uterine contraction during acme.

Internal version Procedure used to vaginally deliver a second twin. The obstetrician inserts a hand into the uterus, grasps the feet of the fetus, and changes the fetus from a transverse to a breech presentation.

interstitial fluid That portion of the extracellular fluid that is between the cells and outside the blood and lymphatic vessels.

intertriginous areas Skin folds of the neck, axillae, and antecubital fossa.

intracellular fluid The fluid in the body that is inside the cells.

intracranial pressure Force exerted by brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood within the cranial vault.

intractable seizure Seizures that continue to occur even with optimal medical management.

intrapartum The time from the onset of true labor until the birth of the infant and delivery of the placenta.

intrauterine device (IUD) Small metal or plastic form that is placed in the uterus to prevent implantation of a fertilized ovum.

intrauterine fetal surgery Surgery performed on a fetus to correct anatomic lesions that are not compatible with life if left untreated.

intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) Fetal undergrowth due to any etiology, such as intrauterine infection, deficient nutrient supply, or congenital malformation. Formerly called intrauterine growth retardation.

intravascular fluid That portion of the extracellular fluid that is in the blood vessels.

involution Rolling or turning inward; the reduction in size of the uterus following childbirth.

ischial spines Prominences that arise near the junction of the ilium and ischium and jut into the pelvic cavity; used as a reference point during labor to evaluate the descent of the fetal head into the birth canal.

isotonic fluid Fluid that has the same osmolality as normal body fluid.

isthmus The straight, narrow part of the fallopian tube with a thick muscular wall and an opening (lumen) 2-3 mm in diameter; the site of tubal ligation. Also a constriction in the uterus that is located above the cervix and below the corpus.

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