Session 7 - Fetal physiology / growth Flashcards
Describe the double Bohr effect
Bohr effect is lower pH giving up oxygen more easily
Baby has higher CO2 than mother so at maternal blood lakes the fetus puts its CO2 in there
This means maternal RBCs will now give up their oxygen for fetus
Fetal CO2 has now become lower so have increased affinity for O2
Why is it useful for the mother to have respiratory alkalosis
Increased 2,3 BPG so give up oxygen more easily to fetus
Describe the double Haldane effect
Haldane affect is O2 affecting affinity of CO2
So M offloads O2 at baths, so can now take up CO2 fetus delivers
Fetus takes up o2 and will have less affinity for CO2 so it will leave
Compare contrast Bohr and Haldane effect
Bohr effect: Co2 affects the affinity of Hb for O2
Haldane effect: O2 affects the affinity of Hb for CO2
Fetal CO2 >/ < maternal Co2
Fetal co2 is higher
Fetal 02 >/< maternal O2
Fetal o2 lower
What is all that separates maternal blood from fetal capillaries
syncytiotrophoblast
what is fetal pO2
4kPa (adult is 11-13 kPa)
How does the fetus get the oxygen it needs?
HbF, double bohr and haldane, maternal respiratory aklalosis, mumma has increased haematocrit
What’s weird about fetal vagus nerve responses
If hypoxic, fetal HR slows!
What factor is important for fetal growth
IGF
Describe fetal growth in weeks in terms of hyperplasia/hypertrophy
Hyperplasia 0-20wks, hyperplasia +++ 20-28, 28-term is hypertrophy
First bowel movement is called
Meconium
How does the fetus handle bilirubin
It can’t really because it can’t conjugate so the placenta does it (that’s why physiological jaundice is common as the fetus has a lag in taking over)
What is normal, LBW, and macrosomic birth weight?
normal 2500g, macrosomic 4500g, LBW <2500g
When does CRL rapidly increase
In pre-embryonic and embryonic period
When does weight and growth rapidly increase
In foetal period (9-38)
From when can fetal movements be felt
Week 17
What do you use to measure fetal growth in different week periods
If 7-13 then CRL, if second or third trimester then measure femur length or biparietal diameter or abdominal circumference
Causes of oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios
Oligo- kidney problems, ureter problems
Poly- dysphagia, CNS problem, blind oesophagus, duodenal atresia, maternal hypertension
Three stages of fetal lung development with weeks
8-16: pseudoglandular (bronchioles formed)
16-24: canalicular (respiratory bronchioles formed)
24-term: terminal sac stage
What can you give to mother to increase surfactant in fetus
Glucocorticoids
What is the first system to start developing and the last to finish
Nervous system