Pediatric terminology

The use of medical abbreviations and acronyms can sometimes make it hard to read and understand medical and nursing books, the pediatrician's directions, prescriptions, etc. Learn some of the more commonly used paediatric medical abbreviations and acronyms that the doctor may use.

1. Pediatric TerminologyPediatric Terminology
Third Stage Lab Third Stage Lab
MS.c. Zainab Neamat Al-MS.c. Zainab Neamat Al-
TaeeTaee

2. Sickle Cell AnemiaSickle Cell Anemia
a severe hereditary form of anaemia in which a
mutated form of haemoglobin distorts the red
blood cells into a crescent shape at low oxygen
levels.

3. Separation anxietySeparation anxiety
Separation anxiety is normal in very young
children (8 - 14 months old). Kids often go
through a phase when they are "clingy" and
afraid of unfamiliar people and places. When
this fear occurs in a child over age 6 years, is
excessive, and lasts longer than four weeks, the
child may have
separation anxiety
disorder.

4. RegressionRegression
Is the loss of an achieved level of
functioning to a past level of behavior that
was successful during earlier stages of
development.

5. Adenopathy: enlarged lymph
glands.

6. Asphyxia suffocation caused by
interference with the oxygen
supply of the blood.

7. Atonic seizure Atonic seizure that causes a sudden,
momentary loss of consciousness
and muscle tone; also called
akinetic.

8. ClonusClonus rapid involuntary muscle
contraction and relaxation.
Tonus: Tonus: tone is greatly increased: the
body, arms, or legs become suddenly
stiff or tense

9. Amblyopia dimness of vision from
disuse of the eye; sometimes called
“lazy eye.”

10. Autistic Autistic totally self-centered and
unable to relate to others, often
exhibiting bizarre behaviors.
Autistic children can sometimes
be destructive to themselves and
others.

11. Caput Succedaneum Caput Succedaneum edematous
swelling of the soft tissues of the
scalp caused by prolonged pressure
of the occiput against the cervix
during labor and delivery. The
edema disappears within a few
days.

12. Celiac Syndrome Celiac Syndrome term used to designate
the complex of mal absorptive disorders.

13. CephalocaudalCephalocaudal the pattern of
growth of the child that follows
an orderly pattern, starting with
the head and moving downward.

14. Child Neglect failing to provide
adequate hygiene, health care,
nutrition, love, nurturing, and
supervision as needed for a
child’s growth and development.

15. Clove Hitch Restraints Clove Hitch Restraints restraints
used to secure an arm or leg; used
most often when a child is
receiving an intravenous infusion.
The restraint is made of soft cloth
formed in a figure eight.

16. Cold Stress Cold Stress a body temperature
of less than 36.5 C° in the
newborn.

17. Colostomy Colostomy a surgical procedure
in which a part of the colon is
brought through the abdominal
wall to create an outlet for
elimination of fecal material

18. Congenital Hip Dysplasia Congenital Hip Dysplasia abnormal
fetal development of the acetabulum that may or may
not cause dislocation of the hip. If the malformed
acetabulum permits dislocation, the head of the
femur displaces upward and backward. This may be
difficult to recognize in early infancy.

19. Cooperative Play children play
with each other, as in team
sports.

20. Cretinism Cretinism a congenital condition
marked by stunted growth and
mental retardation.

21. CroupCroup general term that typically includes
symptoms of a barking cough, hoarseness,
and Inspiratory stridor often occurs in
children with croup.

22. Febrile Seizure Febrile Seizure occurring in
infants and young children
commonly associated with a fever
of 38.9 C° to 41.1 C°

23. GalactosemiaGalactosemia: hereditary metabolic
disorder in which the enzyme necessary for
converting galactose into glucose is missing.
The infant generally appears normal at birth but
experiences difficulties after the ingestion of
milk

24. Hyaline Membrane DiseaseHyaline Membrane Disease also
known as respiratory distress syndrome
(RDS); occurs because of immature lungs
that lack sufficient surfactant to decrease
the surface tension of the alveoli.

25. ABG: Arterial Blood Gas
thistest measures the amounts of
certain gases (such as oxygen and carbon
dioxide) dissolved in arterial blood. An ABG
test involves puncturing an artery with a thin
needle and syringe and drawing a small volume
of blood.

26. AA: Aplastic Anemia
deficiency of all types of blood cell caused
by failure of bone marrow development.

27. ADHD: Attention-Deficit /
Hyperactivity Disorder
any of a range of behavioural disorders
occurring primarily in children, including such
symptoms as poor concentration, hyperactivity,
and learning difficulties.

28. AGA: Appropriate for
Gestational Age

29. ARDS: Acute Respiratory
Distress Syndrome

30. ARF: Acute Rheumatic Fever

31. ASD: Autism Spectrum Disorder

32. BCG: Bacillus Camille-Guerin

33. CDP: Constitutional Delayed CDP: Constitutional Delayed
PubertyPuberty

34. CP: Cerebral PalsyCP: Cerebral Palsy

35. CSF: Cerebrospinal FluidCSF: Cerebrospinal Fluid

36. DTP: diphtheria toxoid, tetanus DTP: diphtheria toxoid, tetanus
toxoid, and whole-cell pertussistoxoid, and whole-cell pertussis

37. FAS: Fetal Alcohol SyndromeFAS: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

38. GCS: Glasgow Coma ScaleGCS: Glasgow Coma Scale

39. HAV: hepatitis A virusHAV: hepatitis A virus

40. CPAP: Continuous Positive CPAP: Continuous Positive
Airway PressureAirway Pressure

41. Hib:Haemophilus influenzae Hib:Haemophilus influenzae
type Btype B

42. IBD: inflammatory bowel IBD: inflammatory bowel
diseasedisease

43. IBS: irritable bowel syndromeIBS: irritable bowel syndrome

44. IPV: inactivated poliovirus IPV: inactivated poliovirus
vaccinevaccine

45. IVC: Intra Ventricular Catheter

46. JRA: Juvenile Rheumatoid JRA: Juvenile Rheumatoid
ArthritisArthritis

47. LGA: large for gestational ageLGA: large for gestational age

48. MAS: meconium aspiration MAS: meconium aspiration
syndromesyndrome

49. MMR: Measles-Mumps-Rubella

50. NICU: Neonatal Intensive Care
Unit

51. OCD: Obsessive-compulsive OCD: Obsessive-compulsive
DisorderDisorder

52. SIDS: Sudden Infant Death SIDS: Sudden Infant Death
SyndromeSyndrome

53. PALS: Pediatric Advanced Life PALS: Pediatric Advanced Life
SupportSupport

54. RDS: Respiratory Distress RDS: Respiratory Distress
SyndromeSyndrome

55. SGA: Small For Gestational SGA: Small For Gestational
AgeAge

56. TB: TuberculosisTB: Tuberculosis

57. TS: Tourette SyndromeTS: Tourette Syndrome

58. UNHS: Universal Newborn UNHS: Universal Newborn
Hearing ScreeningHearing Screening

59. VZV: Varicella-Zoster VirusVZV: Varicella-Zoster Virus

60. BID: twice a dayBID: twice a day

61. gts: dropsgts: drops

62. od: “oculus dexter”od: “oculus dexter” right eyeright eye
os: “oculus sinister” left eyeos: “oculus sinister” left eye
ou: “oculus uterque”ou: “oculus uterque” both eyesboth eyes

63. PO: by mouthPO: by mouth
PR: per rectumPR: per rectum

64. PRN: “Pro re nata”PRN: “Pro re nata”    as neededas needed

65. Q8h “quaque octa hora “ : Q8h “quaque octa hora “ :
every 8 hoursevery 8 hours

66. AC: before mealsAC: before meals

67. QD: once a dayQD: once a day

68. QHS: at bedtimeQHS: at bedtime

69. QOD: every other dayQOD: every other day

70. TID: three times a dayTID: three times a day