The Perinatal Period

Question 1

Gestational Period:

Answer 1

Term gestation: 37- 42 weeks

Question 2

Ductus venosus:

Answer 2

connects umbilical vein to inferior vena cava

allows oxygenated blood directly from mom to enter circulation (bypasses liver) via inferior vena cava

Question 3

Ductus arteriosus:

Answer 3

a channel of communication between the main pulmonary artery and the aorta
allows majority of blood which would enter pulmonary vasculature to bypass directly to the aorta

Question 4

Foramen ovale:

Answer 4

opening between the two atria of the fetal heart
allows oxygenated blood from mom which enters right atrium to be channeled directly to left atrium (right to left shunting) and then onto the left ventricle, aorta, and system

Question 5

Apgar Scoring System

Answer 5

0-3 Severely Depressed
4-6 Moderately Depressed
7-10 Excellent Condition

Question 6

Jaundice adverse effects

Answer 6

Unconjugated [indirect] bilirubin is neurotoxic:
Bilirubin induced neurologic dysfunction (BIND)
Acute bilirubin encephalopathy
Kernicterus

Question 7

Mechanisms leading to Physiologic Jaundice

Answer 7

1.Bilirubin production is higher
Newborns have a higher HCT (normal—50-60%)
Fetal RBCs have a shorter life span
There is a greater turnover of RBCs
2.Bilirubin clearance by the liver is decreased due to a decrease in an enzyme
3.Increased enterohepatic circulation: