CHANGES IN FETAL

CIRCULATION AFTER
BIRTH
DEESHAN RAJ SIVASANKER
082013100017
IMS BANGALORE
Changes In Circulation After Birth
Circulatory changes which occur after birth
are divided into :
i)Primary Changes
ii)Secondary Changes

Primary Changes
Tying of umbilical cord stops the placental
circulation producing the following changes :

i)blood flow through umbilical veins ceases
causing contraction of Ductus Venosus within
1 -3 hours after birth

ii)Systemic Vascular Resistance doubled .
This increases the pressure in Left Atria ,
Left Ventricle , & Aorta
iii)Marked decrease in volume of blood
flowing up the Inferior Vena Cava together
with expansion of previously collapsed
lungs produces five fold decrease in
Pulmonary Vascular Resistance . This
leads to :
a) Marked increase in Pulmonary Blood
Flow
b)Decrease in Right Atrium & Right Ventricle
Pressure
Secondary Changes
Secondary changes includes :
i)Closure of Foramen Ovale
ii)Closure of Ductus Arteriosus
iii)Closure of Ductus Venosus
Closure of Foramen Ovale
Increased LA Pressure & Decreased
RA Pressure
Prevents backward flow of blood from
LA to RA
Valve present on the left side of atrial
septum closes the opening
Closure of Foramen Ovale

Closure Of Ductus Arteriosus

Closure of Ductus Venosus