ROLE OF PHONIATRICIAN IN NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Abstract

The neonatal period (the first 28 days of life) is a highly vulnerable time for the infant who is completing many of the physiologic adjustments required for extrauterine existence. The high neonatal morbidity and mortality rates point to the fragility of life during this period In the United States, of all deaths occurring in the first year, two thirds are of new born infants.

The Apgar score consists of the total points assigned to five objective signs in the newborn. The five objective signs are: heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability and color. They are evaluated and given a score of 0 ,1 or 2. Scores at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth are usually noted in the chart. One minute Apgar score generally correlates with umbilical cord blood PH and is an index of intrapartum asphyxia. Apgar scores beyond one minute are reflective of the child's changing condition and the adequacy of the resuscitative efforts. Apgar score of 8 to 10 indicates no asphyxia, 5 to 7 indicates mild asphyxia, 3 to 4 indicates moderate asphyxia and 0 to 2 indicates severe asphyxia.

The neonatal intensive care is the provision of life support systems such as assisted ventilation or continuos positive airway pressure, monitoring of heart rate and