NLS Flashcards
What are a neonates first breaths in response to?
The colder environment and hypoxia
What happens to the baby’s lungs as it transitions to outside the uterus?
In uteri baby’s lungs are full of amniotic fluid
During labour the lungs begin to absorb fluid
Additional fluid is expelled as baby passes through birth canal
What purpose do a newborns initial breaths serve?
They create negative pressure to aerate the lungs
Why do newborns cry?
Powerful movement is needed to overcome the viscosity of the fluid filled airways and surface tension
This force pushed fluid out of the lungs into the circulation and lymphatic system
What is primary apnoea in newborns?
When initial attempts to breathe are unsuccessful baby loses consciousness
Continued hypoxia affects the respiratory centre leading to primary apnoea within 2-3 minutes
What signs accompany primary apnoea?
Reduced heart rate
Loss of tone
How can newborn primary apnoea be corrected?
With stimulation and oxygenation
