Exam 12: Perinatal Disorders

Question 1

what determines a perinatal disorder?

Answer 1

• causes occur AT birth (right before or right after)
• anoxia or hypoxia at birth
• deficit depends on duration of loss and amount of brain area deprived of O2
• small birth canal, compression of the umbilical cord (or wrapped around neck), tearing of the placenta, breech birth, difficult labor
• brachial plexus injuries, broken collar bone

Question 2

viability and prematurity

Answer 2

• by 20 weeks, all organs have located in their permanent place
• diagnosis of congenital defects may take place
• early viability

Question 3

challenges faced by premature infants (9)

Answer 3

• **gestation is occurring outside of the womb
• high necessity for adequate oxygen to support ongoing development
• blood vessels are fragile (brain bleeding can cause CP, bleeding in intestines/stomach)
• lungs/heart not fully developed (no surfactant)
• difficulty maintaining body temp (need for incubator)
• minimal body fat, very fragile/thin skin
• immature nervous system (premie easily overstimulated, heart rate and oxygen levels unstable with stimulation)
• eyes may not be fully formed (visual issues later on)
• swallowing/feeding issues (ataxia with breathing/swallowing, reflux issues or poor digestion)