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Biomedical Basics

Neonatal adaptations & physiology

  • Created by Henry Stewart Talks
Published on December 31, 2025   4 min

A selection of talks on Physiology & Anatomy

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This session centers on neonatal adaptations and physiology, offering a structured look at the dramatic physiological changes a newborn undergoes after birth, including the transition of the cardiovascular system and establishment of mature circulation. We will discuss the initiation of breathing, challenges with respiratory adaptation, thermo regulation, and the importance of surfactant. Key aspects of feeding, digestion, kidney and liver function, and the development of immune defenses will also be explored. Finally, we'll highlight the clinical importance of supporting these adaptations to ensure healthy neonatal development. The period after birth marks a remarkable transition as the newborn adapts from dependent fetal life to autonomous existence outside the womb. Dramatic cardiovascular changes occur. In the fetus, gas exchange happens via the placenta, with shunts like the foramen of and ductus arteriosis diverting blood from the lungs. After birth, lung expansion drops pulmonary resistance, increasing blood flow. Closure of these shunts establishes mature neonatal circulation for extraterine life. At delivery, a newborn's first breath is an iconic milestone, stimulated by factors such as mild hypoxia, cold exposure, and tactile stimulation. The lungs must clear fetal fluid and expand, a process aided by surfactant from type two alveolar cells, which reduces surface tension. Surfactant deficiency is a major cause of respiratory distress in preterm infants.

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