Do we now understand the control of the fetal circulation?
Physiological research has now given us a reasonably complete picture of fetal cardiovascular control in late gestation, especially with respect to the responses to acute hypoxaemia. Reflex, endocrine and auto/paracrine mechanisms all play a part. This review questions how complete our knowledge is when we address the clinically important issues of the influence of gestational age, sustained hypoxia and the effects of nutrition in altering the programming of cardiovascular development.
Hanson
M A
MA
Dept of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College London Medical School, UK. m.hanson@ucl.ac.uk
D000818:Animals; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000196:embryology*; D005260:Female; D005311:Fetal Hypoxia; D005333:Fetus / Q000098:blood supply*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D011247:Pregnancy