What is ductus venosus?

Ductus venosus is a special blood vessel in the fetus, responsible for 80% blood flow from the umbilical vein to Lower Vena Cava, which gives the right heart of the heart. It helps to supply the fetal brain with oxygenated blood. The umbilical vein that leads from the placenta to the fetus differs from most of the veins that it bears oxygenated blood, rather than deoxygenated blood. The placenta is an organ attached to the wall of the uterus that provides nutrients of the fetus through the mother's blood.

About half oxygenated blood from the umbilical vein enters the ductus venosus, while the other half enters the liver before joining the right atrium. The heart of the fetus also contains foramen ovale, opening between the right and left atrium. While in adults the blood must enter the right atrium with the right ventricle into the lungs before entering the left atrium, the fetal heart allows the lungs. From the left atrium, blood enters the left ventricle, from where it is pumped into the aorta to supply the rest of the body, as in adults.

Ductus venosus is still open at birth, but usually closes during the first week of life. It often takes longer for premature children. The rest of the ductus venosus is a fibrous ligamentum venosum, elbowed at the bottom of the liver and attached to the liver portal vein that brings blood from the abdominal cavity and spleen to the liver.

2 PSS causes part of the blood from the intestines to enter the general circulatory system rather than to go to the liver to clean toxins. Thus, toxins such as ammonia and uric acid become in abnormally high levels in the bloodstream. Symptom PSS results including vomiting, weight gain, and impaired brain function that can manifest themselves through seizures, drooling and depression. Surgical repair is the best treatment for PSS, although the condition may also be treated with antibiotics if surgery is not a possibility.