Adaptation to extrauterine life
Adaptation to Extrauterine Life
Adaptation to extrauterine life (pronunciation: ad-ap-tay-shun to ex-tra-yoo-ter-in life) refers to the physiological changes that a newborn undergoes after birth as it adjusts from the intrauterine environment to the extrauterine environment.
Etymology
The term is derived from the Latin words 'adaptare' meaning 'to fit' and 'extra' meaning 'outside', and the Latin word 'uterus' meaning 'womb'.
Physiological Changes
The major physiological changes that occur in a newborn during the adaptation to extrauterine life include:
- Respiratory Adaptation: This involves the initiation and maintenance of respiration. The first breaths inflate the lungs and dramatically decrease pulmonary vascular resistance, leading to an increase in pulmonary blood flow.
- Cardiovascular Adaptation: This involves changes in the circulatory system, including the closure of the ductus arteriosus, foramen ovale, and ductus venosus.
- Thermoregulatory Adaptation: This involves the maintenance of body temperature outside the warm intrauterine environment.
- Metabolic Adaptation: This involves changes in metabolism, including the transition from a glucose-based metabolism to a metabolism based on the oxidation of fatty acids.
- Hematological Adaptation: This involves changes in the blood, including an increase in red blood cell production and changes in the coagulation system.
Related Terms
- Neonate: A newborn child, especially in the first 28 days after birth.
- Intrauterine: Within the uterus.
- Extrauterine: Outside the uterus.
- Physiological Adaptation: The process by which an organism adjusts to a new environment or new conditions.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Adaptation to extrauterine life
- Wikipedia's article - Adaptation to extrauterine life
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