Week 5 - Core clinical Problems Flashcards
What effect do prostaglandins have on the blood vessels?
They relax the ducts and dilate them.
When the baby comes out of the womb - what happens to the circulating prostaglandins?
They decrease - ducts constrict
What happens to the ductus arteriosus in the new born baby?
It constricts and becomes the ligamentum arteriosus
What is the ligamentum teres derived from?
The ductus venosus
What happens to the foramen ovale in the new born baby?
It completely closes
What is persistent pulmonary hypertension?
When a newborn baby continues to have the circulation pattern they did in utero (i.e. high lung resistance to less blood is sent to the lungs)
How does fetal haemoglobin change when they are out of the womb? (in regards to the haemoglobin graph)
Increase in 2, 3 DPG which shifts their haemoglobin to the right
Explain physiological anaemia in the newborn
Fetal haemoglobin gets broken down quickly
New (adult haemoglobin) will start to form slowly
So there will be a transitional period where they have less haemoglobin
Explain physiological jaundice of the newborn
Quick breakdown of fetal haemoglobin
The conjugating pathways in a baby are immature and slow
Therefore lots of unconjugated bilirubin will be circulating
Nothing to worry about, only pathological if it is very prolonged
Baby presents with symptoms:
Not pooping (but there is a wee bit of something)
Wants to eat but doesn’t stay down - vomits
Xray shows big loops (with little ladders) and no gas in rectum
DDx?
Jejunal atresia
What is a normal apgar score?
8+
What is potter’s syndrome?
Kidneys don't form properly Amniotic fluid isn't produced Baby can't move around in womb Stuck in fixed position Muscles won't form and other abnormalities
Most likely causative organisms of a new born bacterial infection
GBS E. coli Listeria Staph aureus Staph epidermis
What is necrotising Enterocolitis?
Portion of the bowel dies
Symptoms of necrotising enterocolitis?
Poor feeding Bloating Decreased activity Blood in stool Vomiting bile
