Transition to Neonatal Life
What is the first step in the transition from fetus to neonate?
establishing a regular respiratory pattern
Maternal age is considered highest risk at what two age ranges?
younger than 16 and older than 40
During eclampsia, vasospasm of arteries in the placenta decreases blood supply to the fetus. What major fetal complication can result?
asphyxia
A baby born before what gestational week is considered premature?
Before 37 weeks
What fetal assessment can evaluate fetal age, growth, position, placenta location, congenital anomalies, movement, heart rate, and respiratory activity?
Ultrasound
A C-section newborn has excessive fetal lung liquid remaining in the lungs. What condition can result?
Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN)
What is the difference between gravida and para?
Gravida = number of pregnancies.
Para = completion of a pregnancy in which a potentially viable infant is born.
Uteroplacental insufficiency is usually caused by what maternal condition?
maternal hypertension
One twin has a smaller placenta and therefore is significantly smaller than the other twin. What is this called?
discordant twins
Elevated maternal serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) may indicate what type of fetal abnormality?
neural tube defects, such as spina bifida or anencephaly
What substance is necessary to hold the alveoli open so that the newborn can establish FRC?
Surfactant
What term describes a woman experiencing her first pregnancy?
primigravida
which type of maternal diabetes is associated with less surfactant, more respiratory distress, and macrosomia?
mild-to-moderate maternal diabetes
In twin transfusion syndrome, one twin develops polycythemia while the other develops what condition?
Anemia
What procedure can assess L/S ratio, bilirubin concentration, creatinine levels, and cellular abnormalities?
Amniocentesis
Name the five major steps, in order, that occur during transition from fetal to neonatal life.
Name four parts of previous birth history that can make a pregnancy higher risk.
Name the infections represented by TORCH.
Toxoplasma, Others, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes Simplex
A newborn has cracked skin, long nails, excessive scalp hair, loose skin, and meconium staining. What condition should you suspect?
Postmaturity
During labor, the fetal heart rate suddenly drops with variable decelerations. According to VEAL CHOP MINE, what is the likely cause and intervention?
Variable → Cord compression → Maternal repositioning (knees to chest)
A newborn’s alveoli expand, PAO₂ increases, and fetal lung liquid is removed. Explain how these changes affect the pulmonary circulation.
PVR decreases and PBF increases. Removing FLL reduces pressure on pulmonary capillaries, expanded alveoli straighten the pulmonary vessels, and increased PAO₂ reverses hypoxic vasoconstriction.
A woman is pregnant for the fourth time. Her history is recorded as G4P3,1,1,3. What does it mean?
4 pregnancies, 3 live births, 1 preterm birth, 1 abortion/miscarriage, and 3 living children.
Match each infection/exposure with the correct description:
A. Toxoplasmosis
B. Herpes Simplex
C. Hepatitis B
D. Chronic alcohol use
A → 3
B → 4
C → 1
D → 2
A fetus experiences impaired maternal blood flow to the placenta, resulting in hypoxia, hypercarbia, and both metabolic and respiratory acidosis. After delivery, the infant develops neurologic injury from inadequate oxygen/blood flow to the brain. Identify the initial complication AND resulting neurologic condition.
asphyxia and Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
Match the fetal heart-rate pattern to its cause:
VEAL → CHOP
MINE interventions: