Chapter 100: Respiratory Distress and Breathing Disorders in the Newborn
Suhas M. Nafday, MD, MRCP (Ire), DCH, FAAP, Christina M. Long, DO, 2016. "Respiratory Distress and Breathing Disorders in the Newborn", American Academy of Pediatrics Textbook of Pediatric Care, Thomas K. McInerny, MD, FAAP, Henry M. Adam, MD, FAAP, Deborah E. Campbell, MD, FAAP, Thomas G. DeWitt, MD, FAAP, Jane Meschan Foy, MD, FAAP, Deepak M. Kamat, MD, PhD, FAAP, Rebecca Baum, MD, FAAP, Kelly J. Kelleher, MD, MPH, FAAP
Download citation file:
Updated on September 30, 2020
The effective transition from placental to extrauterine life involves multiple physiologic changes to establish effective pulmonary gas exchange. It is a complex process involving ion exchange across the pulmonary and airway epithelium, and sodium uptake plays an important role in alveolar fluid clearance. Glucocorticoids, catecholamines, and oxygen play an important role in regulating the activity of this uptake.1 These processes help in removal of fetal lung fluid from the air space through pulmonary epithelial, vascular, and lymphatic channels.
During fetal life, pulmonary vascular resistance is high and pulmonary blood flow is low, with most...