Iowa Neonatology Handbook

Abbreviations Commonly Used in the Nursery

Edward F. Bell, MD
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed 2/13/12

A/B – apnea/bradycardia spell (episode of apnea and/or bradycardia)
A/B/D – apnea/bradycardia/oxygen desaturation spell (episode of apnea and/or bradycardia and/or decreased oxygen saturation)
AGA – appropriate for gestational age
ARNP – advanced registered nurse practitioner (PNP or NNP)
ASD – atrial septal defect
BBT – baby's blood type
BM – bowel movement
BPD – bronchopulmonary dysplasia
CBG – capillary blood gas
CHD – congenital heart defect or congenital heart disease
CHF – congestive heart failure
CMV – cytomegalovirus
CNM – certified nurse midwife
CNS – central nervous system
CPAP – continuous positive airway pressure
C/S – cesarean section
CPT - chest physiotherapy
CSF – cerebrospinal fluid
CVN – central venous nutrition
CXR – chest x-ray
DIC – disseminated intravascular coagulation
DR – delivery room
ECMO – extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
ELBW – extremely low birth weight
ETC – emergency treatment center
ETT – endotracheal tube
FOC – fronto-occipital circumference
FTP – failure to progress
G-P- - gravida ____para____ (pregnancies; pregnancies resulting in the livebirth of at least one child)
GBS – group B streptococcus
HB, HGB, Hb, or Hgb – hemoglobin
HC – head circumference
HCT – hematocrit
HFJV – high-frequency jet ventilation
HFV – high-frequency ventilation
HFOV – high-frequency oscillating ventilation
HM – human milk
HMD – hyaline membrane disease
HMF – human milk fortifier (makes breast milk 0.8 kcal/cc)
HUS – head ultrasound
IAB or IAb – induced abortion
IDM – infant of diabetic mother
IMV – intermittent mandatory ventilation
iNO – inhaled nitric oxide
IUFD – intrauterine fetal demise
IUGR – intrauterine growth restriction
IVF – in-vitro fertilization
IVH – intraventricular hemorrhage
L+D – Labor and Delivery
LGA – large for gestational age
LLSB – lower left sternal border
LMD – local medical doctor (usage of primary care provider - PCP preferred)
LSB – left sternal border
MAP – mean airway pressure
MAS – meconium aspiration syndrome
MBT – mother's blood type
MCL – midclavicular line
MGF – maternal grandfather
MGM – maternal grandmother
NAD - no apparent distress
NAVA – neurally adjusted ventilatory assistance
NC – nasal cannula
NEC – necrotizing enterocolitis
NICU – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
NNP – neonatal nurse practitioner
NNS – neonatal screen (newborn metabolic screen)
NO – nitric oxide
NPCPAP – nasopharyngeal continuous positive airway pressure
NPO – nothing by mouth
NSIMV – nasopharyngeal synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation
NTD – neural tube defect
NVN – neonatal venous nutrition (local term, not recommended for external communication)
PC – pressure control
PCO2 – partial pressure of carbon dioxide
PCP – primary care provider
PDA – patent ductus arteriosis
PEEP – peak and expiratory pressure
PF – premature infant formula
PFC – persistent fetal circulation
PFO – patent foramen ovale
PGE1 – prostaglandin E1
PGF – paternal grandfather
PGM – paternal grandmother
PICC – percutaneously inserted central catheter
PIE – pulmonary interstitial emphysema
PIH – pregnancy induced hypertension
PIP – peak inspiratory pressure
PIV – peripheral intravenous line
PKU – phenylketonuria, a disease detected on the NNS
PMI – point of maximum impulse
PNP – pediatric nurse practitioner
PO2 – partial pressure of oxygen
PPH – persistent pulmonary hypertension
PPHN – persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn
PPROM – preterm premature rupture of membranes
PPS – peripheral pulmonic stenosis
PRBCs – packed red blood cells (concentrated erythrocyte suspension for transfusion)
PROM – premature rupture of membranes (before the onset of labor) or prolonged rupture of membranes
PS – pressure support
PTL – preterm labor
PVL – periventricular leukomalacia
PVN – parenteral venous nutrition or peripheral venous nutrition
RA – room air (21% oxygen)
RCM – right costal margin
RDS – respiratory distress syndrome
ROM – rupture of membranes OR range of motion
ROP – retinopathy of prematurity
RSV – respiratory syncytial virus
SAB or SAb – spontaneous abortion
SF – stock formula or standard formula (iron-fortified term infant formula)
SGA – small for gestational age
SIMV – synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation
SO2 – oxygen saturation
TCM – transcutaneous monitor (for PO2, PCO2)
TG – true glucose (more appropriately called blood glucose, there is no “false” glucose)
TPN – total parenteral nutrition
TTN – transient tachypnea of the newborn
UAC – umbilical arterial catheter
UVC – umbilical venous catheter
VLBW – very low birth weight baby
VSD – ventricular septal defect
VS – vital signs

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