A NNP is admitting a newborn infant to the unit; he was deli…
A NNP is admitting a newborn infant to the unit; he was delivered at 30-weeks gestation. At birth, the infant weighs 1500 gm (low), but otherwise appeared normal. Soon after birth, the infant becomes cyanotic and breathes with a grunting noise. Chest X-rays reveal dense lungs with significant atelectasis but no cardiovascular abnormalities. This is most suggestive of , which is due in part to inadequate production and secretion. As the weeks progress, the neonate had significant complications, including intraventricular hemorrhage, which has left the baby with neurological deficits. The NNP believes the condition resulted in significant areas of brain cell death, which involves necrosis.