Adaptation to extrauterine life - Breathing and circulation

At the end of pregnancy, the fetus must take the journey of childbirth to leave the reproductive female mother. Upon its exit into the oxygen-consuming world, the newborn must begin to adjust to life outside the uterus. Adaptation to extrauterine life - Breathing and circulation. Perfusing its body by breathing independently instead of utilizing placental oxygen is the first challenge of a newborn. With the first breaths, there is a fall in pulmonary vascular resistance, and an increase in the surface area ...

Including:

• Adaptation to extrauterine life - Breathing and circulation
• Adaptation to extrauterine life - Energy metabolism
• Adaptation to extrauterine life - Temperature regulation

Read more here: » Adaptation to extrauterine life: Encyclopedia - Adaptation to extrauterine life

Perfusing its body by breathing independently instead of utilizing placental oxygen is the first challenge of a newborn. With the first breaths, there is a fall in pulmonary vascular resistance, and an increase in the surface area available for gas exchange due to the loss of low-resistance placental circulation. Overall, there is an increase in total peripheral resistance (TPR). There is a rapid subsequent increase in oxygenation due to the cardiovascular system changes. The decrease in venous return results in left atrial pressure being sl ...

See also:

Adaptation to extrauterine life, Adaptation to extrauterine life - Breathing and circulation, Adaptation to extrauterine life - Energy metabolism, Adaptation to extrauterine life - Temperature regulation

Read more here: » Adaptation to extrauterine life: Encyclopedia II - Adaptation to extrauterine life - Breathing and circulation

Energy metabolism in the fetus must be converted from a continuous placental supply of glucose to intermittent feeding. While the fetus is dependent on maternal glucose as the main source of energy, it can use lactate, free-fatty acids, and ketone bodies under some conditions. Plasma glucose is maintained by glycogenolysis. Glycogen synthesis in the liver and muscle begins in the late second trimester of pregnancy, and storage is completed in the third trimester. Glycogen stores are maximal at term, but even then, the fetus only has e ...

See also:

Adaptation to extrauterine life, Adaptation to extrauterine life - Breathing and circulation, Adaptation to extrauterine life - Energy metabolism, Adaptation to extrauterine life - Temperature regulation

Read more here: » Adaptation to extrauterine life: Encyclopedia II - Adaptation to extrauterine life - Energy metabolism