Adaptations at Birth

Question 1

What happens to the lungs at birth?

Answer 1

Type II pneumocytes draw in fluid. This is why C-sections can cause problems

Question 2

How does the baby keep warm at birth?

Answer 2

Fatty deposits and Vermis

Question 3

What happens in relation to metabolism at birth?

Answer 3

Glucagon levels are increased to turn glycogen to glucose.

There is an increase in adrenalin

Question 4

What happens to the heart?

Answer 4

• Ductus arteriosus (P.A to aorta) closes to become the ligamentum arteriosum.
• Foramen ovalis (Between atrium) becomes fossa ovalis
• Ductus venosus closes (previously took blood from IVC to brain)

Question 5

What is a patent ductus arteriosis?

Answer 5

When the link between the PA and the aorta doesnt close at birth

Question 6

What are the symptoms of a patent ductus arteriosis?

Answer 6

1. Murmur - Turbulent blood
2. Breathlessness - More blood to lungs so cant get in oxygen
3. Hepatomegaly - More to the PA so RA and RV so there is a back lof which blocks the liver
4. Cardiomegaly/tachycardia - Heart is pumping more to get blood out so gets bigger and pumps faster
5. Pale - Incrase in adrenaline to low oxygen
6. Patent femoral pulse - as lower diastolic due to less in aorta

Question 7

What are some normal variants at birth?

Answer 7

• Tachypnoea
• tachycardia
• blue peripherally
• jaundice
• murmur
• anaemia - high RBC and parental o2 causes low EPO and anaemia after 4-6 weeks
• High clotting times so give vit k
• Erythema toxicum neonatorum