Common terms - I
Immunisation
Immunisation, or vaccination, is a way of stimulating the immune system to produce
substances called antibodies which protect the body against specific infectious diseases.
Immunisation is used to protect babies from a number of serious infectious diseases including
whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, meningitis,
haemophilus influenza, measles, mumps and rubella (German measles).
Incubator:
This is a heated bed covered by a clear plastic box. Extra
oxygen or humidity can be added to the air inside the incubator.
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Infusion
An infusion refers to fluid or drugs that are given directly into a blood
vessel.
Intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV)
IMV is where the ventilator gives 20 breaths or less to a baby.
Intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV)
IPPV is where the ventilator gives more than 20 breaths.
Intramuscular:
Intramuscular is into the muscle. Some injections are given into the
muscle.
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Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR)
A baby is said to have intrauterine growth retardation when his weight is
less than that expected for his gestation.
Intravenous
This means to give either a fluid or medicine directly into the
baby’s bloodstream (vein). A cannula is inserted into the vein. Fluids and
medicines are then injected through this into the vein.
Intraventricular haemorrhage
This is a problem of the baby born prematurely where there is
bleeding into the fluid-filled spaces in the brain (the ventricles). Because
the brains of premature babies are very delicate, doctors will perform regular
head scans in the early days to look out for intraventricular haemorrhage
(IVH). An IVH can be serious but in many cases it causes no long-term problems.
Intubation
To insert an ET (breathing) tube into a baby's windpipe.
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