OMSB Pediatrics (OEPEDS) key terms

A rapid 0-10 assessment done at 1 and 5 minutes after birth scoring heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color; it describes the newborn's condition and response to resuscitation, not a predictor of later outcome.

Waiting roughly 30-60 seconds or more before clamping the umbilical cord in a vigorous newborn, allowing placental transfusion that raises iron stores and reduces transfusion need, while weighing a small increase in jaundice risk.

Instillation of exogenous surfactant into the trachea of a premature infant with respiratory distress syndrome to lower alveolar surface tension, improve lung compliance, and reduce air leak and mortality.

Neonatal lung disease caused by surfactant deficiency, presenting soon after birth with tachypnea, grunting, retractions, and hypoxemia; chest radiograph shows low lung volumes and a diffuse reticulogranular pattern.

Delivery of a steady distending pressure to spontaneously breathing infants through nasal prongs or mask, keeping alveoli open, reducing work of breathing, and often avoiding intubation in respiratory distress or apnea of prematurity.

Pauses in breathing lasting 20 seconds or more, or shorter pauses with bradycardia or desaturation, in an infant born before about 37 weeks due to immature respiratory control; treated with caffeine citrate and respiratory support.

Chronic lung disease of prematurity defined by ongoing oxygen or respiratory support at 36 weeks postmenstrual age, resulting from lung injury and arrested alveolar development; it predicts later wheezing and readmission.

Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia appearing after the first 24 hours of life and peaking around days 3-5, reflecting immature bilirubin conjugation and increased red cell turnover; it is managed by monitoring against age-in-hours nomograms.

Permanent neurologic injury from bilirubin deposition in the basal ganglia and brainstem, causing lethargy, poor feeding, hypertonia, hearing loss, and choreoathetoid cerebral palsy; prevention relies on timely phototherapy or exchange transfusion.

Removal and replacement of an infant's blood in aliquots to rapidly lower severe hyperbilirubinemia or treat severe anemia, used when phototherapy fails or bilirubin approaches exchange thresholds.

Population testing of dried blood spots and other samples in the first days of life for treatable conditions such as congenital hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria, hemoglobinopathies, and cystic fibrosis, plus hearing and pulse oximetry screening.

Deficient thyroid hormone production present at birth, often from thyroid dysgenesis; because signs are subtle, detection depends on newborn screening, and delayed treatment causes irreversible intellectual disability.

Pulse oximetry of the right hand and one foot before discharge to detect duct-dependent cardiac lesions; a positive result prompts echocardiography and evaluation for causes of hypoxemia other than heart disease.

Congenital heart defect in which pulmonary or systemic blood flow depends on a patent ductus arteriosus, such as transposition of the great arteries or severe pulmonary stenosis; closure causes rapid deterioration, so prostaglandin E1 is given.

Continuous intravenous alprostadil used to keep the ductus arteriosus open in suspected duct-dependent congenital heart disease; it can cause apnea, hypotension, and fever, so airway readiness is required.

A soft, systolic, musical or vibratory murmur in a well child without other findings, commonly heard at the left sternal border or pulmonary area; it varies with position and does not require echocardiography.

Ultrasound imaging of cardiac structure and blood flow used to confirm congenital defects, assess ventricular function, estimate pressures, and detect vegetations or effusions; it is the main noninvasive diagnostic tool in pediatric cardiology.

An acute medium-vessel vasculitis of young children with fever lasting at least five days plus conjunctivitis, mucosal changes, rash, extremity changes, and cervical lymphadenopathy; coronary artery aneurysms make prompt intravenous immunoglobulin essential.

Pooled human antibody given for immune modulation in conditions such as Kawasaki disease and immune thrombocytopenia, and for antibody replacement; it is given with aspirin in Kawasaki disease to reduce coronary complications.

Structured review of daytime symptoms, night waking, reliever use, and activity limitation over recent weeks to classify asthma as well controlled, partly controlled, or uncontrolled, guiding step-up or step-down of inhaled therapy.

Anti-inflammatory controller therapy delivered to the airways, the preferred long-term treatment for persistent pediatric asthma; regular use reduces exacerbations, and growth should be monitored.

A pressurized canister used with a valved holding chamber, the preferred delivery method for most children with asthma because it improves lung deposition and reduces oropharyngeal side effects compared with an inhaler alone.

Pilocarpine iontophoresis to stimulate sweating, with chloride measured in collected sweat; a value of 60 mmol/L or more is diagnostic, 30-59 is intermediate, and the test supports diagnosis alongside genetic testing.

Irreversible dilation of bronchi with chronic cough and sputum production, in children often due to cystic fibrosis, post-infectious damage, or immunodeficiency; high-resolution computed tomography confirms it.

Viral laryngotracheitis, usually from parainfluenza virus, causing barking cough, hoarse voice, and inspiratory stridor; a single dose of oral dexamethasone is standard, with nebulized epinephrine for moderate or severe distress.

Acute supraglottic infection, now uncommon with vaccination, presenting with high fever, drooling, muffled voice, and tripod positioning; the airway must be secured by skilled staff without examining the throat first.

A harsh inspiratory sound from turbulent airflow in a narrowed upper airway, indicating obstruction at or above the larynx; onset, position, and associated feeding or voice changes help localize the cause.

Diarrhea and vomiting causing fluid loss, graded as mild, moderate, or severe by weight change, mental status, mucous membranes, tears, and capillary refill; oral rehydration is first-line when tolerated.

A balanced glucose-electrolyte drink exploiting sodium-glucose cotransport to promote water absorption, given in small frequent amounts for mild to moderate dehydration; it is preferred over intravenous fluids when the child can drink.

Short courses of oral zinc given during acute diarrhea, which shorten duration and reduce recurrence in resource-limited settings; it is recommended by international guidelines alongside oral rehydration.

Testing for tissue transglutaminase IgA with total IgA to screen for celiac disease; diagnosis is confirmed by duodenal biopsy showing villous atrophy in most children, though protocols may omit biopsy in selected cases.

Inadequate weight gain or growth in a child, judged against growth charts and often classified as organic or nonorganic; evaluation addresses intake, absorption, and increased metabolic demand.

Plotting weight, length or height, and head circumference over time against age and sex standards, using percentiles and z-scores to detect crossing of lines, which signals a change in growth velocity.

A chart of total serum bilirubin against age in hours with risk zones that guides decisions about phototherapy and repeat testing in newborns, interpreted together with gestational age and hemolytic risk factors.

Chronic immune-mediated liver inflammation in children, often presenting with elevated transaminases, jaundice, or acute liver failure; diagnosis uses autoantibodies and biopsy, and treatment is immunosuppression.

A generalized seizure lasting under 15 minutes in a child aged 6 months to 5 years with fever, without prior afebrile seizures or central nervous system infection, and not recurring within 24 hours.

Continuous seizure activity or repeated seizures without recovery lasting 5 minutes or more, requiring immediate benzodiazepine therapy and airway support; prolonged seizures risk hypoxia, acidosis, and neuronal injury.

Needle sampling of cerebrospinal fluid for cell count, protein, glucose, and culture, essential to exclude meningitis; it is deferred when signs of raised intracranial pressure or unstable cardiorespiratory status are present.

Infection of the meninges, in children often from Streptococcus pneumoniae or Neisseria meningitidis, with fever, headache, neck stiffness, and altered mental status; empirical antibiotics must start immediately after cultures are drawn.

Life-threatening organ dysfunction from a dysregulated response to infection, recognized by fever or hypothermia, tachycardia, poor perfusion, and altered mentation; treatment is prompt antibiotics and fluid resuscitation.

A bedside tally of vital signs and observations that flags children at risk of deterioration, triggering escalation of care; it supports timely review rather than replacing clinical judgment.

Insulin deficiency with ketosis, hyperglycemia, and acidosis, presenting with vomiting, dehydration, and Kussmaul breathing; management requires careful fluid and insulin titration because cerebral edema is a serious complication.

Measurement of thyroid-stimulating hormone and free thyroxine to classify thyroid disease; in children they guide diagnosis of congenital and acquired hypothyroidism and monitoring of treatment dose.

Ongoing clinical process of eliciting parental concerns and observing milestones at every visit, distinct from formal screening tests, to detect developmental delay early and trigger referral.