Neonates - Physiology Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the passage of oxygenated blood in a foetus?

A

Placenta –> Umbilical Vein –> Ductus Venosus (through liver) –> IVC

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2
Q

The foetal lungs aren’t functional, how does a foetus get oxygenated blood from the right heart to the left?

A

Bypasses the pulm circulation by 2 shunts:

  • Foramen Ovale (atria)
  • Ductus Arteriosus (PA to Aorta)
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3
Q

Where does a foetal O2 sat sit?

A

60-70%

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4
Q

Newborns lack shivering thermogenesis, how do they resist cold?

A

Use of brown fat
Cold Stress –> Lipolysis –> Heat generation

(A sympathetic process)

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5
Q

Physiological jaundice occurs around 2/3 days up to 7-10. What do we do if the bilirubin is high enough to cause problems?

A

Blue Light Phototherapy

Exchange Transfusion

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6
Q

It’s quite normal for a newborn to lose up to 10% of its weight, why is this?

A

Fluid moves from interstitium to intravascular and triggers diuresis

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7
Q

why can’t premature babies regulate their fluids properly?

A

Less Fat
More loss through kidney
More insensible loss (immature skin/lungs)

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8
Q

How does physiological anaemia come about in newborns

A

Produce much less RBCs after birth –> anaemia in the first few weeks before erthropoieting production steps up

Most common cause of anaemia is iatrogenic blood letting (e.g. taking blood samples from a septic baby)

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