Final answer:
Three common problems that may disrupt the normal transition from fetal to neonatal blood flow include Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn, Congenital Heart Defects, and infections that affect the cardiovascular system.
Step-by-step explanation:
Common Problems Disrupting Normal Transition from Fetal to Neonatal Blood Flow
The transition from fetal to neonatal blood flow can be disrupted by a few common problems. The three major shunts in the fetal circulation close after birth to allow proper blood flow to the lungs and liver. However, issues such as Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN), where blood pressure remains high in the lungs, Congenital Heart Defects, which can alter the expected flow of blood through the heart and vessels, and Infection, leading to inflammation and subsequent effects on the cardiovascular system can interfere with this normal transition.
PPHN prevents the usual decrease in pulmonary pressure, impeding the closure of the ductus arteriosus and proper blood oxygenation. Congenital Heart Defects may prevent the closing of shunts such as the foramen ovale and the ductus arteriosus or create abnormal blood flow patterns that complicate the shift to neonatal circulation. Lastly, infections acquired before or during birth can cause systemic inflammatory responses that can adversely affect the cardiovascular changes needed in a newborn.