Question

How might Respiratory Distress Syndrome: (1) cause patent ductus arteriosus; and (2) change the physiological outcome of patent ductus arteriosus on blood flow direction and pressure as compared to for normal, healthy neonates who might just have a delayed closure?

Answer 1

1)In infants with Respiratory distress syndrome, hypoxemia inhibits closure of patent ductus arteriosus resulting in increased pulmonary blood flow with subsequent increased increased pulmonary blood flow leads to pulmonary hypertension.

2)In healthy neonates with delayed closure more blood will enter the lungs left to the right of blood will occur can cause build of blood in baby's lungs.The physiological outcome of infants with patent ductus arteriosus, in infants with Respiratory distress syndrome 80% of infants have patent ductus arteriosus blood flow aorta to pulmonary artery (left to right) shunt increased blood flow to the lungs results in pulmonary hypertension , interstitial and alveloar pulmonary edema and decreased lung compliance.