Foetal oxygen from conception to birth, the miraculous way of oxygen from the mother to the fetus
Authors:
T. Juren
Authors‘ workplace:
Neonatologické oddělení, Fakultní nemocnice Brno, Brno
Published in:
Čes-slov Neonat 2025; 31 (1): 5-9.
Category:
Reviews
Overview
Foetal oxygen from conception to birth, the miraculous way of oxygen from the mother to the fetus
The transport of oxygen from the external environment to the fetus is an amazing way full of perfect natural mechanisms. Millions years of evolution are behind this development, which allow the origin of a new organism again and again. The maternal organism is a key mediator between the external source and the final recipient. Several levels of transmission are involved in the journey of oxygen from the atmosphere to the target tissue, which develop from conception to birth. Although we are speaking about oxygen, the basic concept that accompanies the development of the embryo and fetus is hypoxia. Yes, it is a relative hypoxia, but from the point of view of a living person, its degree is sometimes unbelievable. Oxygen tension is a regulator throughout development. Knowledge of oxygen metabolism during intrauterine development is a valuable tool for explaining and managing many diseases that affect premature newborns in particular, but also mature newborns, sometimes helping even in adult medicine.
Keywords:
Hypoxia – Placenta – oxygen bound capacity – erytropoesis – fetal hemoglobin – fetalcirculation
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Neonatology Neonatal NurseArticle was published in
Czech and Slovak Neonatology
2025 Issue 1
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