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Obstetric Emergencies pp 7–25Cite as

Acute Fetal Hypoxia/Acidosis

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Abstract

Fetal hypoxia refers to the condition in which there is decreased oxygen concentration in fetal tissues, and this is insufficient to maintain normal cell energy production by way of aerobic metabolism. Oxygen is supplied to fetal tissues via a long pathway that involves the maternal respiratory system, maternal circulation, gas exchange at the placenta and finally the umbilical and fetal circulations (Fig. 2.1). Problems occurring at any of these levels may result in decreased oxygen concentration in the fetal circulation (hypoxaemia) and ultimately in fetal tissues (hypoxia).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical School, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Diogo Ayres-de-Campos

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  1. Diogo Ayres-de-Campos
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Ayres-de-Campos, D. (2017). Acute Fetal Hypoxia/Acidosis. In: Obstetric Emergencies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41656-4_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41656-4_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-41654-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-41656-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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