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№ 4Neonatology9 min read

Persistent foetal circulation and hyperviscosity syndrome.

1. Big picture

This topic has two important neonatal circulation problems:

  1. Persistent fetal circulation, better called persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) → the newborn fails to switch from fetal to neonatal circulation. Blood keeps shunting right-to-left, causing severe hypoxemia.

  2. Hyperviscosity syndrome, usually due to neonatal polycythemia → blood is too thick, causing poor tissue perfusion, hypoglycemia, respiratory distress, neurologic symptoms, thrombosis, and sometimes worsening pulmonary hypertension.

Both present as a sick, cyanotic or poorly perfused newborn.

Core exam idea:

Newborn after birth should drop pulmonar

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