Project description

The transition to life after birth is one of the greatest physiological challenges that humans face. At birth, the airways are cleared of liquid, to allow the entry of air, which increases pulmonary blood flow and closes vascular shunts that by-pass the lungs during fetal life. Most infants smoothly make this transition, but many don’t which can be life threatening and cause life-long problems. The aim of this project is to study the changes that occur at birth and to identify factors that both facilitate and impede these changes to reduce the risks that newborn infants face.