Neonatal maladjustment syndrome, the dummy foal: a patient care report
Samantha Feighery
Saturday, June 2, 2018
Neonatal maladjustment syndrome (NMS) is not completely understood, but is linked to variable degrees of hypoxia before or after parturition. This condition can be expected in any foal with a history of premature placental separation; delivery by Caesarean section; prolonged dystocia; premature delivery or foals that have been resuscitated for any reason. Recent studies have shown an association between NMS and a persistence of high concentrations of neurosteroid in the post-natal period. These neurosteroids are thought to be partly responsible for keeping the foal in a sleep like state of unconsciousness while in utero. It is thought that physical pressure on the foal while in the birth canal during a normal delivery signals to the foal to stop producing the sedative inducing neurosteroids, and causes the foal to ‘wake up’. This theory is supported by the fact that NMS appears more frequently in foals with abnormal births.Nursing care in the treatment of the ‘dummy foal’ has an impact on the outcome of the patient. Managing and nursing a recumbent neonate is laborious, time consuming and personnel intensive, and requires proper facilities that can provide 24-hour nursing care.


Subscribe to get full access to The Veterinary Nurse
Thank you for vising The Veterinary nurse and reading our archive of expert clinical content. If you would like to read more from the leading peer-reviewed journal for veterinary nurses, you can start your subscription today for just £26.
Subscribing will enable you to:
- Stay up-to-date with current thinking and best practice in veterinary medicine
- Enhance your knowledge and understanding of all key clinical topics
- Achieve the mandatory requirement of 45 hours' documented CPD over a three-year period