Fetal & Neurologic Injury CH. 10

Question 1

At what weeks of gestation can the fetus perceive pain?

Answer 1

By 24 weeks’ gestation, the fetus has all the neural machinery necessary to perceive pain. Many clinicians recommend that appropriate measures should be taken to provide fetal analgesia during fetal surgical procedures from this point onward.

Question 2

Although GABA has an ______ action in the mature brain, GABA serves an _______role during fetal brain development.

Answer 2

Although GABA has an inhibitory action in the mature brain, GABA serves an excitatory role during fetal brain development.

Question 3

17 On stimulation of GABA receptors that are expressed in neural progenitor cells and immature neurons, chloride ions are actively extruded, causing membrane ______ rather than the hyperpolarization seen in mature neurons.

Answer 3

On stimulation of GABA receptors that are expressed in neural progenitor cells and immature neurons, chloride ions are actively extruded, causing membrane depolarization rather than the hyperpolarization seen in mature neurons.

Question 4

What are the only types of cerebral palsy associated with intrapartum hypoxia?

Answer 4

1.The only types of cerebral palsy associated with intrapartum hypoxia are spastic quadriplegia and, less commonly, dyskinesia.

Question 5

1.Intrapartum hypoxia sufficient to cause cerebral palsy is always accompanied by neonatal _______ and ______.

Answer 5

1.Intrapartum hypoxia sufficient to cause cerebral palsy is always accompanied by neonatal encephalopathy and seizures.

Question 6

What can fetal brain use as alternative energy source?

Answer 6

Alterations in substrate use may affect the fetal response to insufficient exchange of respiratory gases. Unlike the adult brain, the fetal brain can use ketone bodies and lactate as alternative energy sources.