Foetal Growth + Development

Question 1

What is the period from week 0-2.5 post fertilisation called?

Answer 1

Pre-embryonic period

Question 2

What is the period from week 2.5-8 post fertilisation called?

Answer 2

Embryonic period

Question 3

What is the period from week 8-term called?

Answer 3

Foetal period

Question 4

How is pregnancy weeks calculated?

Answer 4

Weeks from last period

Conception weeks +2

Question 5

How does the foetus gain weight in the early foetal stage?

Answer 5

Protein deposition

Question 6

How does the foetus gain weight in the late foetal period?

Answer 6

Adipose deposition

Question 7

What is CRL?

Answer 7

Crown-rump length - used between weeks 7-13 to date the pregnancy

Question 8

What is biparietal diameter?

Answer 8

Distance between parietal bones of the foetal skull - used in trimester 2 + 3 to date the pregnancy

Question 9

When do patients typically have an ultrasound?

Answer 9

Week 20

Question 10

What is assessed at the 20 week ultrasound?

Answer 10

Assess foetal growth

Check for foetal anomalies

Question 11

How are birth weights classified?

Answer 11

3500g is average
<2500g suggests growth restriction
>4500g is macrosomia

Question 12

How does the foetal respiratory system develop?

Answer 12

Embryonic development creates bronchopulmonary tree

Functional specialisation occurs in the foetal period

Question 13

What stage is the respiratory system at during weeks 8-16?

Answer 13

Pseudoglandular stage

Question 14

What happens during the pseudoglandular stage?

Answer 14

Duct system begins to form

Question 15

What stage is the respiratory system at during weeks 16-26?

Answer 15

Canalicular stage

Question 16

What happens during the canalicular stage?

Answer 16

Formation of bronchioles

Question 17

What stage is the respiratory system at from week 26?

Answer 17

Terminal sac stage

Question 18

What happens during the terminal sac stage?

Answer 18

Terminal sacs bud from bronchioles
Differentiation of type 1+2 pneumocytes
Surfactant production

Question 19

Why does the foetus appear to breath?

Answer 19

Conditioning of the respiratory muscles to ensure ready for birth

Question 20

When does surfactant begin to be produced?

Answer 20

Week 24

Question 21

What is respiratory distress syndrome?

Answer 21

Insufficient surfactant production in infants born premature

Question 22

How is respiratory distress syndrome managed in a mother who will deliver preterm?

Answer 22

Glucocorticoid treatment of mother increases surfactant production in the foetus

Question 23

When should the foetus start moving?

Answer 23

Week 17