Causes and Mechanisms of Intrauterine Hypoxia and Its Impact on the Fetal Cardiovascular System: a Review

Overview

Journal Int J Pediatr

Publisher Wiley

Specialty Pediatrics

Date 2010 Oct 29

PMID 20981293

Citations 118

Authors

Damian Hutter

John Kingdom

Edgar Jaeggi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Until today the role of oxygen in the development of the fetus remains controversially discussed. It is still believed that lack of oxygen in utero might be responsible for some of the known congenital cardiovascular malformations. Over the last two decades detailed research has given us new insights and a better understanding of embryogenesis and fetal growth. But most importantly it has repeatedly demonstrated that oxygen only plays a minor role in the early intrauterine development. After organogenesis has taken place hypoxia becomes more important during the second and third trimester of pregnancy when fetal growth occurs. This review will briefly adress causes and mechanisms leading to intrauterine hypoxia and their impact on the fetal cardiovascular system.

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