Introduction
Newborns can be put at risk any time during their intrauterine
(in utero), intrapartum (from the beginning of the
fi rst stage of labor to the end of the third stage of labor), or
extrauterine development (once the newborn is born).
They can be placed at risk in their prenatal or intrauterine
environment by genetic disorders (associated with inheritance),
congenital anomalies (an abnormality a newborn
acquires in utero), or maternal factors such as disease
states, trauma, and drug use. Newborns are at risk based
on a stressful intrapartum environment resulting in conditions
of asphyxia (lack of oxygen) and birth injuries
(trauma associated with delivery) or they can be placed at
risk in the immediate neonatal or extrauterine environment
as a result of conditions such as hypothermia (low
body temperature), poor oxygenation, prematurity, or
congenital anomalies (Table 19-1 and Box 19-1)