Newborn Child Flashcards

1
Q

Why are changes at birth required

A

In the foetus some organs are not fully functional, as a result some changes are required at birth to give fully functional organs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Describe foetal lungs

A

They are collapsed or partially filled

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

When is a lung surfactant produced by the foetus

A

At six months

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Whilst in utero what, in terms of the respiratory system, is the foetus dependent on the mother for

A

Oxygen supply and removal of carbon dioxide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What happens to the respiratory system at birth

A

Oxygen supply ceases, carbon dioxide accumulates, the respiratory centre in the brain is stimulated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What does stimulation of the respiratory centre in a baby at birth result in

A

The baby drawing its first breath

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are 3 important things to note in terms of the baby’s first breath

A
  1. Unusually deep
  2. Inflates the lungs
  3. The surfactant prevents the collapse of alveoli
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the respiration rate of a newborn baby

A

45 breaths per minute

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Why are the adaptations in foetal circulation present

A

In order to counteract the lack of lung function and to incorporate the fact that the foetus receives blood from the mother

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the function of the shunts in foetal circulation

A

To by-pass blood

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What 3 shunts are present in the foetal circulatory system

A

One in the heart
One ensures blood from the mother by-passes the liver and goes straight to the heart.
One prevents too much blood going to the collapsed lung

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Why do newborns dehydrate easily

A

They are not good at concentrating urine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What happens to renal function once a baby is born

A

Babies have sole responsibility for maintaining fluid balance and waste disposal. However this takes a few years to fully mature

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the feature of the foetal GI tract

A

There is limited secretion of enzymes and hormones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What changes does this first milk cause in a newborn

A

Rapid increase in gut size and stimulation of digestive juices and motility

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Why do newborns use fat and glycogen stores

A

Because it takes a few days to establish the necessary components of the GI tract

17
Q

Describe the characteristics of the environment in the mother’s uterus

A

Warm, moist and constant

18
Q

Why can newborns lose heat easily

A

They have a large surface area relative to volume

19
Q

What do babies have to help control heat changes

A

Brown adipose tissue

20
Q

What is brown adipose tissue

A

Extra brown fat

21
Q

How much brown adipose tissue are babies born with

A

200g

This makes it a high proportion of their body mass

22
Q

What does brown adipose fat do

A

Generate heat

23
Q

What is the advantage of babies being well vascularised

A

Heat generated by brown adipose tissue can be spread to the rest of the body