Birth asphyxia

In this paper the term is used for failure to initiate and sustain breathing at birth. It is not used as a predictor of outcome.

Birth attendant

A trained person with midwifery skills providing delivery care for mother and newborn.

Birth weight

The first weight of the newborn, measured to the nearest five grams. It is usually obtained within the first hours of birth.

Cleaning

The physical removal of most microorganisms and contamination, using detergent and water.

Disinfection

Treatment of objects or surfaces to remove or inactivate organisms such as vegetative bacteria, viruses and fungi, but not spores. Disinfection can be achieved by heat, by immersion in boiling water or by applying certain antiseptics.

Evaluation

The process of collecting and analysing information at regular intervals about the effectiveness and impact of the programme.

Gasping

Occasional breaths with long pauses in between, not sufficient breathing.

Health care institution

An institution where delivery care is provided by health workers with midwifery skills (health centre, maternity unit, hospital).

Malformation

Also congenital anomaly or birth defect. Any defect present at birth, probably of developmental origin.

Low birth weight

A birth weight of less than 2500g.

Very low birth weight

A birth weight of less than 1500g.

Live birth

The complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a product of conception, irrespective of the duration of the pregnancy, which, after such separation, breathes or shows any other evidence of life.

Monitoring

The ongoing process of collecting and analysing information about the implementation of the activity such as newborn resuscitation.

Neonatal death

Death of a live-born infant during the first 28 completed days of life. May be subdivided into early neonatal death, occurring during the first seven days of life, and late neonatal death, occurring after the seventh day but before 28 completed days of life.

Perinatal death

Death of a fetus or a newborn in the perinatal period that commences at 22 completed weeks (154 days) of gestation (the time when birth weight is normally 500 g) and ends seven completed days after birth.

Policy

A written statement used to guide and determine present and future decisions about standards of care.

Post-term

42 completed weeks or more (294 days or more) of gestation.

Pre-term

Less than 37 completed weeks (less than 259 days) of gestation.

Standard of care

Professionally developed detailed written statement used to guide procedures.

Sterilization

The complete destruction of all microorganisms, including spores. It can be achieved by dry heat or steam under pressure.

Stillbirth*

The complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a product of conception, of at least 22 weeks gestation or 500 grams, which after separation did not show any signs of life.

Term

From 37 completed weeks to less than 42 completed weeks (259 to 293 days) of gestation.