Perinatal Adaptions Lecture I

In neonates, the patent blood vessel that shunts blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta is known as the [blank_start]ductus arteriosus[blank_end]

At what point in gestation do the alveoli develop? [blank_start]36 weeks[blank_end] gestation

Later in the pregnancy, the amniotic fluid is mostly made up of which fluid produced by the foetus? Foetal [blank_start]urine[blank_end]

Which organ(s), which allow processing of amniotic fluid when swallowed by the foetus, plays an important role in amniotic fluid recycling?

Which maternal antibody is passed from mother to baby via the placenta?

The ductus venosus allows bypassing of which organ by the foetal blood before birth? The [blank_start]liver[blank_end]

The foramen ovale, which closes after birth, causes a [blank_start]right to left[blank_end] shunting of blood whilst the foetus is still inside the uterus

No blood whatsoever is transported to the lungs in the growing foetus

In adults, the remnant of the ductus venosus is called the [blank_start]ligamentum teres[blank_end] of the liver

In adults, the remnant of the ductus arteriosus is known as the [blank_start]ligamentum arteriosus[blank_end]

Unlike anywhere else in the body, [blank_start]oxygen[blank_end] acts as a vasoconstrictor in the ductus arteriosus thus contributing towards its closure following birth. [blank_start]A reduction[blank_end] in the level of prostaglandins in the blood also contributes towards ductus arteriosus closure following birth

Oxygen typically acts as a [blank_start]vasodilator[blank_end] in the body's blood vessels

The foramen in the foetal heart allowing right to left shunting of blood via the atria is called the foramen [blank_start]ovale[blank_end]

Which form of fat is produced in excess by the foetus in the final stages of pregnancy in order to facilitate thermogeneration upon entrance to the world?

Fat Types: [blank_start]White fat[blank_end] = Good for energy storage [blank_start]Brown fat[blank_end] = Good for quick breakdown and energy release (e.g. thermogeneration)

The fat pad that typically generates between the scapulae of the foetus in late pregnancy typically consists of which type of fat? [blank_start]Brown[blank_end] fat

One of the main worries for the baby during late pregnancy/labour/birth is the development of hypoxia. Hypoxia in a foetus would likely lead to ...

Persistence of the foetal circulation (patent foramen ovale/ductus arteriosus/etc) can lead to the pulmonary vessels not opening properly thus causing persistent pulmonary [blank_start]hypertension[blank_end] of the newborn (PPHN)

Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn is investigated by measuring the oxygen saturations of the hands and feet. In a case of PPHN: The [blank_start]hands[blank_end] will have a near normal O2 saturation The [blank_start]feet[blank_end] will have an abnormal O2 saturation

Management of PPHN is via multiple processes, one of which is ventilation using oxygen and which other vasodilating molecule? [blank_start]Nitric oxide[blank_end]

Inotropes such as [blank_start]adrenaline[blank_end] are also given in order to raise the [blank_start]systemic[blank_end] blood pressure above the [blank_start]pulmonary[blank_end] pressure thus allowing the blood to force itself into the pulmonary circulation, hopefully solving the problem.

Transient [blank_start]tachypnoea[blank_end] occurs in infants when there is insufficient clearing of fluid from the foetal lungs

Neonates typically do not shiver in order to produce heat. Preterm neonates are therefore more likely to become hypothermic due to a lower content of [blank_start]brown fat[blank_end]

The dark green substance forming the first faeces of a newborn infant is called the [blank_start]meconium[blank_end]

When something touches a neonate's mouth, it instinctively opens it's mouth and tries to latch onto it. What is this reflex called? The [blank_start]rooting[blank_end] reflex

Noramly breastfeeding should involve the neonate's tongue pushing the nipple against the [blank_start]soft[blank_end] palate in order to facilitate lactation

Foetal blood is [blank_start]more[blank_end] concentrated in haemoglobin than adult blood

For which of the following reasons does Foetal Haemoglobin have a higher affinity for oxygen?

Foetal haemoglobin is produced in the [blank_start]liver[blank_end] Adult haemoglobin is produced in the [blank_start]bone marrow[blank_end]

Newborns can typically become anaemic as the foetal haemoglobin is broken down faster than the adult haemoglobin can be produced to replace it

Haemoglobin breakdown yields which substance? [blank_start]Bilirubin[blank_end]

Accumulation of bilirubin in the foetal circulation causes neonatal [blank_start]jaundice[blank_end]

Foetal jaundice is a case of accumulation of [blank_start]unconjugated[blank_end] bilirubin