Which term describes a newborn showing irregular respirations, tremors, and hypothermia?

Prepare for the Lippincott Maternal Health Exam with comprehensive study materials. Utilize flashcards, multiple choice questions, and detailed explanations. Ace your exam!

The scenario described, where a newborn exhibits irregular respirations, tremors, and hypothermia, aligns with the signs of withdrawal symptoms. Newborns can experience withdrawal from substances that the mother may have used during pregnancy. These symptoms occur as the infant's body adapts to the absence of the substance after birth.

Hypoglycemia primarily involves low blood sugar levels and can cause irritability, lethargy, and feeding difficulties but does not typically lead to the combination of respiratory irregularities, tremors, and hypothermia featured in the scenario. Hyperthermia refers to elevated body temperature and is not relevant here as the newborn is experiencing hypothermia instead. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a condition that results from alcohol exposure in utero and is characterized by specific physical and developmental issues but does not directly present as the acute symptoms of irregular respirations, tremors, and hypothermia.

Understanding these nuances helps in recognizing the significance of withdrawal symptoms in newborns, distinguishing them from other conditions that may present with similar indicators but under different underlying mechanisms or maternal factors.

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