Fetal Growth and Development Flashcards
What is the fetal period?
Growth and physiological maturation of structures created in the embryonic period
Outline the time frame of the pre-embryonic, embryonic, fetal periods
Pre-embryonic = weeks 1-2
Embryonic = weeks 3-8
Fetal = weeks 9-38
Outline fetal growth
Embryo – intense morphogenesis and differentiation; little weight gain; placental growth most significant
Early fetus – protein deposition
Late fetus – adipose deposition
Outline how the proportions of the body change during the fetal period
at 9 week, the head is approx half crown-rump length
thereafter, body length and lower limb growth accelerates
What ante-natal assessments can be used to asses fetal well being?
Mother = Fetal movements
Regular measurements of uterine expansion = Symphysis-fundal height
Ultrasound scan
What can an obstetric ultrasound scan be used for?
Early in preg = age, rule out ectopic, number of fetuses
Routinely carried out at ~20 weeks = asses fetal growth, abnormalities
How is fetal age estimated?
LMP = but prone to inaccuracy
Developmental criteria = crown-rump length, biparietal diameter, abdo circumference, femur length
What is crown-rump length?
Length between the fetal crown and rump
Measured between 7 and 13 weeks to date the pregnancy and estimate EDD
Scan in T1 also used to check location, number, viability
What is the biparietal diameter?
Distance between the 2 parietal bones
Used in T2 and T3
What 3 measurements can be used in t2 and T3 to asses fetal devel?
Abdo circumference
Femur length
Biparietal diameter
How can birth-weight be classified?
3500 g is considered average
< 2500 g suggests growth restriction
> 4500 g is macrosomia = maternal diabetes
What are the reasons babies can have low birth-weight?
Premature
Constitutionally small
Suffered growth restriction (associated with neonatal morbidity and mortality)
Briefly outline the devel of the respiratory system
Late devel
Out-pocking for foregut
Respiratory divertucum devel, tracheoesophageal septum forms = 2 separate tubes
Pesudoglandular stage = duct system begins
Canalicular stage = formation of respiratory bronchioles
Terminal sac stage = formation of terminal sacs, differentiation of T1/2 pneumocytes (T2 = surfactant)
How do the fetal lungs prepare for birth?
‘breathing’ movements = conditioning of respiratory musculature
Fluid filled = crucial for normal lung devel
What marks the stage of lung viability?
Terminal sac stage