Glossary

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Term Definition
Baby presented breech or transverse

During pregnancy, a fetus is said to be in a “breech” presentation when the buttocks of the baby are presenting first at the bottom of the uterus, and the head is in the upper part. “Transverse” means a sideways position. The baby has his head to one of his mother’s sides and the bottom across her abdomen at her other side.

Ballismus

jerky or shaking movements of the arms or legs, especially such movements occurring in chorea.

Barium swallow radiograph

upper gastrointestinal tract radiography, also called an upper GI, is an x-ray examination of the pharynx, esophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine that uses a special form of x-ray called fluoroscopy and an orally ingested contrast material called barium.

Behavioral audiometry

hearing test used in infants which observes their behavior in response to certain sounds

Bicuspid aortic valve

A bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a defect of the aortic valve that results in the formation of two leaflets or cusps instead of the normal three.

BIPAP

Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure - a breathing apparatus that helps people get more air into their lungs. It uses air pressure to keep the airways open.

Bipolar/manic depression

psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or more depressive episodes.

Birth trauma

physical trauma of childbirth

Bitemporal Narrowing

size of the head above the eyebrows is narrow

Bloating

abnormal general swelling, or increase in diameter, of the abdominal area. Also known as distention.

Blood lead level (BLL)

blood lead level (BLL) is a measure of lead in the body. It is measured in micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (_g/dL); 10 µg/dL is equivalent to 0.48 micromoles per liter (µmol/L).

BPD

bronchopulminary displasia. Damage to, or poor development, of the breathing airways.

Brain Atrophy

part of the brain is underdeveloped

Brainstem evoked auditory response (BEAR

screening test to identify hearing loss. does not require any behavioral response from the person being tested. Can be used with newborn infants and non-verbal children. It is a method employed to assess not only the ears, but also the cranial nerves, and various brain functions of the brain stem. Typically requires sedation.

Breathing difficulties

difficult or uncomfortable breathing or a feeling of not getting enough air.

Bulbous Nose

tip of the nose is round or bulb-shaped