What is the primary mechanism leading to the functional closure of the ductus arteriosus in a healthy term neonate?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: Bradycardia needing stimulation or resuscitation
After birth, increased oxygen and decreased prostaglandins lead to vasoconstriction of the ductus arteriosus and eventual closure (functional closure) of that fetal shunt.
Practice all 25 Neonatal Transition and Newborn Care questions
Keep practicing
More Neonatal Transition and Newborn Care questions
- Which of the following assessments should be performed first in the routine newborn examination within minutes after birth?
- Which statement about thermoregulation in the newborn is correct?
- During newborn assessment, what does apneic spells for 12 seconds between respiratory efforts at 6 hours of life indicate?
- In a newborn with delayed transition, what is a likely contributing factor?
- What physiological change is primarily triggered by the immediate first breath of a newborn?
- Which structure normally begins to close as left atrial pressure exceeds right atrial pressure after birth?