Neonatal Jaundice free essay sample

Newborn jaundice Newborn jaundice is a condition marked by high levels of bilirubin in the blood. The increased bilirubin causes the infants skin and whites of the eyes (sclera) to look yellow. Causes Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is created in the body during the normal recycling of old red blood cells. The liver helps break down bilirubin so that it can be removed from the body in the stool. Before birth, the placenta the organ that nourishes the developing baby removes the bilirubin from the infant so that it can be processed by the mothers liver. Immediately after birth, the babys own liver begins to take over the job, but this can take time. Therefore, bilirubin levels in an infant are normally a little higher after birth. High levels of bilirubin in the body can cause the skin to look yellow. This is called jaundice. Jaundice is present to some degree in most newborns, and is called physiological jaundice. We will write a custom essay sample on Neonatal Jaundice or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It usually appears between day 2 and 3, peaks between days 2 and 4, and clears by 2 weeks. Physiological jaundice usually causes no problems. Other types of jaundice that usually cause no harm include: Breast milk jaundice is probably caused by factors in the breast milk that slow the rate at which the liver breaks down bilirubin. Such jaundice appears in some healthy, breastfed babies after day 7 of life, and usually peaks during weeks 2 and 3. It may last at low levels for a month or more. Breastfeeding jaundice is seen in breastfed babies in the first week of life, especially in babies who are not nursing often enough. Breastfeeding jaundice is different than breast milk jaundice. Babies who are born too early (premature) are more likely to develop jaundice than full-term babies. Conditions that increase the number of red blood cells that need to be broken down, and can cause more severe newborn jaundice: Abnormal blood cell shapes Blood type mismatch between the mother and the baby Bleeding underneath the scalp (cephalohematoma) caused by a difficult delivery Higher levels of red blood cells, which is more common in small-for-gestational-age babies and some twins Infection Lack (deficiency) of certain important enzymes Conditions that make it harder for the babys body to remove bilirubin may also lead to more severe jaundice: Certain medications Congenital infections, such as rubella, syphilis, and others Diseases that affect the liver or biliary tract, such as cystic fibrosis or hepatitis Hypoxia Infections (such as sepsis) Many different genetic or inherited disorders Symptoms The main symptom is a yellow color of the skin. The yellow color is best seen right after gently pressing a finger onto the skin. The color sometimes begins on the face and then moves down to the chest, belly area, legs, and soles of the feet. Sometimes, infants with significant jaundice have extreme tiredness and poor feeding. Exams and Tests Doctors, nurses, and family members will watch for signs of jaundice at the hospital, and after the newborn goes home. Any infant who appears jaundiced should have bilirubin levels measured right away. This can be done with a blood test. Many hospitals check total bilirubin levels on all babies at about 24 hours of age. Hospitals use probes that can estimate the bilirubin level just by touching the skin. High readings need to be confirmed with blood tests. Tests that will likely be done include: Complete blood count Coombs test Reticulocyte count Further testing may be needed for babies who need treatment or whose total bilirubin levels are rising more quickly than expected. Treatment Treatment is usually not needed. When determining treatment, the doctor must consider: The babys bilirubin level How fast the level has been rising Whether the baby was born early (babies born early are more likely to be treated at lower bilirubin levels) How old the baby is now Your child will need treatment if the bilirubin level is too high or is rising too quickly. Keep the baby well hydrated with breast milk or formula. Frequent feedings (up to 12 times a day) encourage frequent bowel movements, which help remove bilirubin through the stools. Ask your doctor before giving your newborn extra formula. Some newborns need to be treated before they leave the hospital. Others may need to go back to the hospital when they are a few days old. Treatment in the hospital usually lasts 1 to 2 days. Sometimes special blue lights are used on infants whose levels are very high. This is called phototherapy. These lights work by helping to break down bilirubin in the skin. The infant is placed under artificial light in a warm, enclosed bed to maintain constant temperature. The baby will wear only a diaper and special eye shades to protect the eyes. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that breastfeeding be continued through phototherapy, if possible. Rarely, the baby may have an intravenous (IV) line to deliver fluids. If the bilirubin level is not too high or is not rising quickly, you can do phototherapy at home with a fiberoptic blanket, which has tiny bright lights in it. You may also use a bed that shines light up from the mattress. You must keep the light therapy on your childs skin and feed your child every 2 to 3 hours (10 to 12 times a day). A nurse will come to your home to teach you how to use the blanket or bed, and to check on your child. The nurse will return daily to check your childs weight, feedings, skin, and bilirubin levels. You will be asked to count the number of wet and dirty diapers. In the most severe cases of jaundice, an exchange transfusion is required. In this procedure, the babys blood is replaced with fresh blood. Treating severely jaundiced babies with intravenous immunoglobulin may also be very effective at reducing bilirubin levels. Outlook (Prognosis) Usually newborn jaundice is not harmful. For most babies, jaundice usually gets better without treatment within 1 to 2 weeks. Very high levels of bilirubin can damage the brain. This is called kernicterus. However, the condition is almost always diagnosed before levels become high enough to cause this damage. For babies who need treatment, the treatment is usually effective. Possible Complications Rare, but serious, complications from high bilirubin levels include: Cerebral palsy Deafness Kernicterus brain damage from very high bilirubin levels When to Contact a Medical Professional All babies should be seen by a health care provider in the first 5 days of life to check for jaundice. Those who spend less than 24 hours in a hospital should be seen by age 72 hours. Infants sent home between 24 and 48 hours should be seen again by age 96 hours. Infants sent home between 48 and 72 hours should be seen again by age 120 hours. Jaundice is an emergency if the baby has a fever, has become listless, or is not feeding well. Jaundice may be dangerous in high-risk newborns. Jaundice is generally NOT dangerous in term, otherwise healthy newborns. Call the infants health care provider if: Jaundice is severe (the skin is bright yellow) Jaundice continues to increase after the newborn visit, lasts longer than 2 weeks, or other symptoms develop The feet, especially the soles, are yellow Prevention In newborns, some degree of jaundice is normal and probably not preventable. The risk of significant jaundice can often be reduced by feeding babies at least 8 to 12 times a day for the first several days and by carefully identifying infants at highest risk. All pregnant women should be tested for blood type and unusual antibodies. If the mother is Rh negative, follow-up testing on the infants cord is recommended. This may also be done if the mothers blood type is O+, but it is not needed if careful monitoring takes place. Careful monitoring of all babies during the first 5 days of life can prevent most complications of jaundice. Ideally, this includes: Considering a babys risk for jaundice Checking bilirubin level in the first day or so Scheduling at least one follow-up visit the first week of life for babies sent home from the hospital in 72 hours Alternative Names Jaundice of the newborn; Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia; Bili lights jaundice References American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Management of hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn infant 35 or more weeks of gestation.

Wonderful Guide to Rewriting Top Tips

Wonderful Guide to Rewriting Top Tips Top Tips on Rewriting The first thing to know about rewriting is that it is not especially easy. If you have ever rewritten and/ revised any rewritten texts you will know it is difficult. Sometimes, it can go very well, but at other times, you may find there are many things to learn. However, with practice and experience, you should acquire some valuable rewriting skills that serve you well. We would like to share the following tips, which we trust you will find helpful. The suggestions outlined below are a few things that should help if you get stuck. This is not a definitive list, and it is recommended you use only those techniques that work for you and discard the rest. However, remember, you have goals to achieve and these are well worth working for. Put your draft in your filing system and begin again This is a piece of advice that always appears in relation to rewriting. It is good advice and well worth noting. There is nothing shameful about putting a text aside and starting anew. Do not think of it as a loss. Whenever you begin the process of revision, save your previous draft, file it, and begin a fresh document. If there are any aspects of your previous draft you want to keep any language or good ideas paste these into your new document. However, in most cases, it is best to write from scratch. You should find this next version begins to flow more quickly and more cohesively. Any characters you have created will start to come to life, and any boring or irrelevant parts will remain filed away in your first draft. Some experts suggest the theory for this is that a writers brain is at first working overtime trying to figure out their script, develop their characters, and create the plot. Of course, all this work is interspersed with flashes of energy, inspiration, and enlightenment. However, these flashbulb moments can get lost in the very real task of developing the text you are working on in a manner your readers and yourself will be able to understand. Then, when you get to the next or second draft, these rules will have been ingrained in you so you can write more freely about the things that are now clearer to you. All this, of course, is time consuming, but very worthwhile. Doubt yourself by all means but trust in your goals A lot of writers really believe there are two elements within an unfinished written piece. These are:The goals to be achieved The writers own egoThe process of rewriting is about figuring out what is what and then discarding the egotistical elements. Everyone gets attached to the flowery descriptions they write, the parts of a plot that they manage to rework back into their text, and the cool words they have carried with them for many years. The fact is, however, that no matter how clever, descriptive and creative one might be, it does not matter if it does not achieve the end objectives. And that is what matters. Things to bear in mindTry not to put too much faith in adverbs and adjectives. Most characters soon start speaking in a unique manner and, usually, none of their voices sound identical. It is normal to have some doubts about various aspects of your work e.g. about whether you should add something new, change the gender of a character, and so on. The best answer here is to say try it. Then decide what you think about it. Do not hesitate to cut. Keep only what is vital. No one wants to get stuck in a time or situation that has already passed.Collaboration really helps One final thing worth mentioning about rewriting is that there should be more of it. People usually write alone so this activity is a solitary one. People also read and revise alone. When the work is done, it is handed in and the writer hopes it will bring the desired results. However, there is another option! This involves collaborating with others who can bring new angles and dimensions to your work. These people include tutors, friends, publishers, designers and directors. We are surrounded by such people. A piece of written work is often richer where there is collaboration. So, wherever possible, seek the input of those who can make your work better!

What Pilot Studies Are and Why They Matter

What Pilot Studies Are and Why They Matter A pilot study is a preliminary small-scale study that researchers conduct in order to help them decide how best to conduct a large-scale research project. Using a pilot study, a researcher can identify or refine a research question, figure out what methods are best for pursuing it, and estimate how much time and resources will be necessary to complete the larger version, among other things. Key Takeaways: Pilot Studies Before running a larger study, researchers can conduct a pilot study: a small-scale study that helps them refine their research topic and study methods.Pilot studies can be useful for determining the best research methods to use, troubleshooting unforeseen issues in the project, and determining whether a research project is feasible.Pilot studies can be used in both quantitative and qualitative social science research. Overview Large-scale research projects tend to be complex, take a lot of time to design and execute, and typically require quite a bit of funding. Conducting a pilot study beforehand allows a researcher to design and execute a large-scale project in as methodologically rigorous a way as possible, and can save time and costs by reducing the risk of errors or problems. For these reasons, pilot studies are used by both quantitative and qualitative researchers in the social sciences. Advantages of Conducting a Pilot Study Pilot studies are useful for a number of reasons, including: Identifying or refining a research question or set of questionsIdentifying or refining a hypothesis or set of hypothesesIdentifying and evaluating a sample population, research field site, or data setTesting research instruments like survey questionnaires, interview or discussion guides, or statistical formulasEvaluating and deciding upon research methodsIdentifying and resolving as many potential problems or issues as possibleEstimating the time and costs required for the projectGauging whether the research goals and design are realisticProducing preliminary results that can help secure funding and other forms of institutional investment After conducting a pilot study and taking the steps listed above, a researcher will know what to do in order to proceed in a way that will make the study a success.   Example: Quantitative Survey Research Say you want to conduct a large-scale quantitative research project using survey data to study the relationship between race and political party affiliation. To best design and execute this research, you would first want to select a data set to use, such as the General Social Survey, for example, download one of their data sets, and then use a statistical analysis program to examine this relationship. In the process of analyzing the relationship, you are likely to realize the importance of other variables that may have an impact on political party affiliation. For example, place of residence, age, education level, socioeconomic status, and gender may impact party affiliation (either on their own or in interaction with race). You might also realize that the data set you chose does not offer you all the information that you need to best answer this question, so you might choose to use another data set, or combine another with the original that you selected. Going through this pilot stu dy process will allow you to work out the kinks in your research design and then execute high quality research. Example: Qualitative Interview Studies Pilot studies can also be useful for qualitative research studies, such as interview-based studies. For example, imagine that a researcher is interested in studying the relationship that Apple consumers have to the companys brand and products. The researcher might choose to first do a pilot study consisting of a couple of focus groups in order to identify questions and thematic areas that would be useful to pursue with in-depth, one-on-one interviews. A focus group can be useful to this kind of study because while a researcher will have a notion of what questions to ask and topics to raise, she may find that other topics and questions arise when members of the target group talk among themselves. After a focus group pilot study, the researcher will have a better idea of how to craft an effective interview guide for a larger research project. Further Reading If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of pilot studies, take a look at an essay titled  The Importance of Pilot Studies, by Drs. Edwin R. van Teijlingen and Vanora Hundley, published in Social Research Update  by the Department of Sociology, University of Surrey, England. Updated  by Nicki Lisa Cole, Ph.D.

Communication 270 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Communication 270 - Research Paper Example Religious intolerance has been quoted as one of the major factors facilitating the growth of terrorism in the twentieth and twenty first century. Indridi Indridason, a professor of political science, University of Oxford explains that terrorism has a great impact on domestic politics as well as international politics. Using terror groups to accomplish some mischievous mandates has been a common practice in many countries since the French revolution. Understanding how the terror groups work and the strategies they use in inflicting fear and intimidating citizens is important in learning the trends that terrorism has adopted and how sophisticated and uncontrollable it is of late. This research was done to understand the working of the terror groups and the methods they use to accomplish their political ambitions and interests. As stated earlier many terror groups constitutes of individuals who are against or resisting a given rule. To prove that the given government is failing to work for the people, they engage in activities such as killing civilians to show the failure in offering security to the society. In some cases an individual who did not participate in the planning or the execution of the terror activities uses the activities to benefit his quest to lead the people. For instance in 2001, there were twin attacks in New York and Washington DC which resulted in the loss of huge numbers of innocent citizens. In the elections that followed, Bloomberg used the issue to promise people security and address the issue of terrorism thereby earning himself the position of the mayor. George Bush in the elections that followed also embarked on the issue of terrorism as one of his key agendas in his manifesto. Since the people were totally scared and a repeat of such an attack was not anything anyone would like dreaming of, anyone offering a solution could earn cheap votes. Terrorism has evolved greatly to be what it is today. In the 19th century

Animals as Friends, not Scientific Experiments Essay

Animals as Friends, not Scientific Experiments - Essay Example As argued by philosopher David DeGrazia (1996), â€Å"The path to the ethical treatment of animals runs through their minds† (p. 76). His argument stress the value of taking into consideration animals’ mental being, such as their self-consciousness, intelligence, recognition, and ability to feel pleasure and pain, in evaluating the ethical implications of animal experimentation. If the wellbeing of animals rests in his/her emotions, and if such emotions are the mechanism of the mind, then all genuine moral debate over animal welfare should one way or another consider what is in the minds of these animals. DeGrazia (1996) argues, â€Å"What sorts of mental capacities we attribute to animals have a great deal to do with how we think they should be treated† (p.1). The argument of DeGrazia is compelling because it poses crucial and interconnected issues. First, is there truly a difference between the physical and the mental in animal welfare? Are hunger and pain, whi ch are primary concerns of animal welfare, truly associated with the minds of animals? Or are these welfare concerns physical, or a union of the mental and the physical? This paper begins with Albert Schweitzer’s perspective of animal welfare that does not depend on evaluating the mental capabilities of animals, to identify his contribution to the resolution of certain cases of animal experimentation. Albert Schweitzer suggested respect for life as a guideline for interacting with and relating to our environment. According to Schweitzer, an ethical man â€Å"does not ask how far this or that life deserves sympathy as valuable in itself, nor how far it is capable of feeling. To him life as such is sacred. He shatters no ice crystals that sparkles in the sun, tears no leaf from its tress, breaks off no flower, and is careful not to crush any insect as he walks† (Carbone 2004, 48). This statement is inspiring, but does it contribute to the resolution of the issue on how a nd when to research or test on animals? Could the ‘ethical man’ ethically inflict pain on animals for scientific research? Evidently, Schweitzer says yes to the latter question because he is not a critic of animal experimentation. He argues (Carbone 2004, 48): Those who experiment upon animals by surgery and drugs, or inoculate them with diseases in order to be able to help mankind by the results obtained, should never quiet their consciences with the conviction that their cruel action may in general have a worthy purpose. In every single instance they must consider whether it is really necessary to demand of an animal this sacrifice for men. And they must take anxious care that the pain be mitigated as much as possible. He proposed that life should be respected and valued, irrespective of its position on any human hierarchy. However, he acknowledged the special need to draw a line between when to save a life and give up another, but gave practically no instruction for these decisions. By placing his entire focus on the ethical man’s attributes instead on those to whom this ‘ethical man’ should pay moral attention to Schweitzer contributes insignificantly to the cases of animal welfare. Science and technology have their limitations and cannot resolve the ethical issues entrenched in nearly all animal welfare discussions. For example, not every suffering or pain can be presently cured with medicines. What degree of pain requires stopping a scientific resear

CARE OF CLIENT IN LABOR AND DELIVERY Essay Example for Free

CARE OF CLIENT IN LABOR AND DELIVERY Essay Within our care of the patient, we were able to identify several problems that correlated to affecting our client’s ability to carry out the labor and delivery process. We also have identified several risk factors that posed a danger to the client’s prenatal and postpartal state. Based on our analysis, problems such as fatigue related to labor and delivery process and deficient knowledge related to new condition, procedure, and treatment /delivery process. Not only have we identified problems such as the ones stated. We have also managed to identify that our client is noncompliant with regards to her health beliefs and value system, powerlessness related to inability to make decisions with respect to taking appropriate health actions and interrupted family processes related to conflict between family members. Characteristics such as this have managed to add an additional problem in affecting her health. Though we managed to provide nursing interventions on several problems, we had also identified several risks such as risk for inadequate tissue perfusion r/t decreased cellular components required for the delivery of oxygen or nutrients to the cells s/t anemia and another risk like anemia related to her ineffective health maintenance. In a time of in our care, all things identified were provided with an intervention. Interventions that are not merely dependent but also independent. And through evaluation, certain goals were met upon our care. Teenage pregnancy will always have higher risks for acquiring anemia. In our analysis of the case, Madam M’s noncompliance with taking recommended medications and inadequate prenatal check-ups may also be one of the factors that lead her to have anemia. That’s why we came up with how important the nurses’ roles are in educating the subject to being active and participative in every care of plan health workers and as well as the subject should mutually collaborate. We also have studied that her condition could have been prevented from being her current illness if only she had her adequate prenatal check-ups together with her proper diet. Although it will never be good for the nurses to coerce any individual to be obliged follow what is to  be done, but at least nurses should help the subject to realize the significance of each heath practices. We also have concluded that it will be best if the nurses should be a listener considering that the subject is a teenage r.

Behind the Scenes: The Effects of Acting on Personal Identity Essay

Scientists have found it most valuable to study the cases of twins in order to determine the relative contribution of genetics or environmental factors to intelligence. First off, it is important to have an understanding of the genetic distribution between the different groups. Identical twins share the exact same genetic material, giving them 100% genetic overlap. Secondly, all other first degree family members such as fraternal twins, siblings, and biological parents and children share 50% genetic overlap. Cousins have 15% overlap, and all other relationships share 0% genetic overlap. In twin studies, psychologists study a variety of different cases; identical twins raised together, identical twins raised separately, and fraternal twins raised together and separately. The reason for including these groups is to examine the correlation they have for intelligence. These studies have shown the intelligence correlation in identical twins is higher than in fraternal twins, even when the identical twins are raised apart. Examining these different groups helps to determine the influence both genetics and environmental factors have on intelligence. Other groups that have been included in these studies are: siblings raised together, siblings raised apart, biological parent and child that lived together, biological parent and child that lived apart, adoptive parent and child that lived together, and cousins that lived apart. These groups were included because comparing identical versus fraternal twins is not the only method to help determine the influence of genetics on intelligence. Because these other groups have varying degrees of genetic overlap with each other, they provide information that can contribute to understandi... ... person possesses is irrelevant. A person that is skilled in mathematics is intelligent, as is a person that has the ability to choreograph a Broadway dance routine. Everyone has a degree of intelligence in every subject; however, some people have a very high amount of intelligence in some particular areas compared to other areas. Both nature (genetics) and nurture (environment) make definite contributions to intelligence. The most accurate way to put the contributions together is to say that genetics allows for intellectual capacity and it is the role of nurturing to bring that capacity (â€Å"intelligence†) to its fullest capabilities. Without an enriched environment, a lot of intelligence may be put to no use at all. If a person has no outlet to channel the intelligence he or she has there is intellectual potential simply sitting there, but not being exercised.