Why Are Premature Newborns More Likely to Require Exchange Transfusions

question 42

Multiple Choice

Why are premature newborns more likely to require exchange transfusions than full-term infants?

• A) Premature newborns are deficient in carrier protein (albumin) for bilirubin transport.
• B) Premature newborns have excess indirect bilirubin due to placental transfer of maternal bilirubin.
• C) Premature newborn livers are too underdeveloped to conjugate bilirubin.
• D) None of the above

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Definitions:

Autonomic Motor Reflexes

Involuntary actions mediated by the autonomic nervous system, controlling bodily functions not consciously directed, like heart rate and digestion.

Somatic Motor Pathways

Neural paths that transmit signals from the brain to control voluntary movements of the body's skeletal muscles.

Skeletal Muscle

A type of striated muscle tissue that is attached to bones and is responsible for voluntary movements.

Cardiac Muscle

Specialized muscle tissue of the heart, characterized by striated cells that are interconnected, enabling synchronized contraction.