Normal foetal adaptations

Question 1

Foetal circulation:

Blood flows from the placenta and travels to the baby in the _____ vein.

Answer 1

Umbilical vein

Question 2

Foetal circulation:

What is the shunt which causes blood to bypass the liver and instead connects the umbilical vein with the IVC ?

Answer 2

Ductus venosus shunt

Question 3

Majority of foetal blood goes from RA –> ??? through which structure

Answer 3

LA

through the foramen ovale

Question 4

Where is the foramen ovale located?

Answer 4

Between RA and LA

Question 5

What is the function of foramen ovale?

Answer 5

Allows oxygenated blood to cross straight over to the LA, bypassing the RV and lugs

Question 6

Which structure connects the main pulmonary artery to the descending part of the aortic arch?

Answer 6

Ductus arteriosus

Question 7

What is the function of the ductus arteriosus in the foetus?

Answer 7

Allows most of the blood from the RV to bypass the foetus’s fluid filled non-functioning lungs

Question 8

In a developing baby in utero, there is HIGH/LOW resistance in the lung circulation and HIGH/LOW resistance from the placenta in the systemic circulation?

Answer 8

HIGH resistance in lung circulation

LOW resistance in systemic circulation

Question 9

In the foetus the lungs are filled with?

Answer 9

Fluid

Question 10

Where does gas exchange occur in the foetus?

Answer 10

Placenta

Question 11

At which gestation do babies develop alveoli?

Answer 11

36 weeks

Question 12

Developments of the RESPIRATORY SYSTEM in the third trimester?

Answer 12

Production of surfactant

- to prevent lung collapse

Question 13

In the third trimester of pregnancy there is accumulation/depletion of glycogen. Why is this?

Answer 13

Accumulation of glycogen.

So that it can be broken down to glucagon and used as an energy source if needed

Question 14

In the third trimester of pregnancy there is accumulation/depletion of brown fat. Why is this?

Answer 14

Accumulation of brown fat

Important in maintaining body temperature

Question 15

Where is the accumulation of brown fat?

Answer 15

Between scapular and around internal organs

Question 16

Production of which substance during labour stops the synthesis of fluid production in the lungs, preparing the foetus for life in the real world?

Answer 16

Cortisol or cateholamine production

Question 17

Changes in the newborn

Answer 17

Foetal -> newborn circulation
Decreased pulmonary arterial pressure
Alveolar expansion

Question 18

It is normal for the baby to be blue in the first few seconds of life. true or false ?

Answer 18

True

Question 19

Why is crying in a newborn good ?

Answer 19

Helps to activate the lungs for breathing

Question 20

After birth, what should happen to the foramen ovale?

Answer 20

Should close over

Question 21

After birth, what should happen to the ductus arteriosus?

Answer 21

Becomes ligament arteriosus

Question 22

After birth, what should happen to the ductus venosus

Answer 22

Becomes the ligament theres

Question 23

In the first few hours of life, heat loss occurs via which 4 methods?

Answer 23

Convection
Conduction
Evapouration
Radiation

Question 24

One way babies try to conserve heat is by shivering. True or false?

Answer 24

False

- babies can’t shiver

Question 25

Hypothermia can cause hypoglycaemia and hypoxia. True or false?

Answer 25

True

Question 26

After delivery, how does the baby maintain its own blood sugar levels?

Answer 26

By breaking down all the glycogen stores in the form of glucagon

Question 27

It is normal to be hypoglycaemic in the first few days of life. True or false?

Answer 27

True

Question 28

Which patients tend to get hypoglycaemic in the first few days of life?

Answer 28

Hypothermic patients
Small/premature babies
Babies with maternal diabetes