Neonatal physiology and lactation Flashcards
What are the stimuli to lung inflation?
- Tying/breaking the cord
- Cold exposure
- Sensory stimuli
What are the circulatory changes in the fetus at birth?
- Decreased pulmonary vascular resistance
- Increased pulmonary blood flow
- Closure of foramen ovale and initiation of closure of ductus arteriosus
What are the main neonatal fuel reserves?
- Liver glycogen
- Muscle glycogen
- Fat
What are the stimuli for mobilisation of hepatic glycogen?
- Increased catecholamine levels at birth
- Direct splanchnic innervation
- Changes in insulin/glucagon ratio
How long can the human neonate survive without significant calorific intake?
2-3 days
How do endocrine glands change postnatally?
- Alter set-point
2. Alter sensitivity
How do neonates survive insults well?
- Large fuel reserves
- Capacity for non-shivering thermogenesis (brown fat)
- Resistance to anoxia and hypoglycaemia
What is each mammary lobe subdivided into?
Lobules
What connects mammary gland lobes to the nipple?
Lactiferous ducts
What triggers breast development at puberty?
- Ovarian oestrogen
- Adrenal steroids
- Growth hormone
What occurs to mammary glands during pregnancy?
- Rapid growth and branching of terminal portions of lobules
- Increased vascularity
- Formation of glandular acini
When does alveolar secretion begin?
Second trimester
Not fully activated until after birth
What is the composition of human breast milk?
90% water 6% lactose 3% fat 1% protein Trace minerals, hormones, growth factors and amino acids
What is the main energy source in milk?
Fat
How does colostrum differ from mature milk?
- Less fat and lactose
2. More proteins, Ig and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
Which pathways are involved in milk formation?
- Exocytosis
- Lipid transfer
- Apical transport
- Transcytosis
- Paracellular
Which enzymes are required for lactose formation?
- Lactose synthase
- α-lactalbumin
- Galactosyltransferase
Which hormones are required for the onset of lactation?
- Withdrawal of progesterone and oestrogen
2. Presence of prolactin
What causes a decrease in progesterone and oestrogen after birth?
Delivery of the placenta
What does prolactin do?
Stimulates alveoli protein and fat synthesis
How can lactogenesis be inhibited?
- Administration of oestrogen
2. Inhibiting prolactin secretion with dopamine agonists, such as bromocriptine
How is lactation maintained?
Mechanical stimulation of the nipple
Continued suckling
Removal of milk products removes their inhibition of further synthesis of lactose
How are suckling reflexes mediated?
Anterolateral columns in spinal cord
PVN and SON in hypothalamus
Which responses are evoked by suckling?
- Release of prolactin and other hormones forming the lactogenic complex (ACTH and GH)
- Release of oxytocin pulses
- Inhibition of GnRH release