Mathematical model of fetal circulation and oxygen delivery

To better understand the fetal circulation and its regulation we constructed a dynamic model of fetal circulation as a transport system. The fetal vascular system is divided into 16 compartments which incorporate the peculiarities of the fetal circulation that produce a difference in oxygen concentration in blood supplying the upper and lower body. Recently published data is used to provide a firm experimental base for the model. The model is used to examine how the results on parts of the fetal cardiovascular system and fetal oxygen consumption are compatible and form a coherent description. We also studied the effects of disturbances from the normal steady state produced by changes in patterns of and resistances to blood flow. A maternal placental blood flow of less than 200 ml X min-1 X kg fetal wt-1 produces a steady-state value of oxygen tension in the fetal ascending aorta of less than 17 mmHg, which is incompatible with normal oxygen delivery. A minimal value of umbilical flow providing an adequate oxygen supply to the fetal body is 87 ml X min-1 X kg fetal wt-1. Due to the geometry of the fetal circulation, the highest normal oxygen tension in the fetal ascending aorta is approximately 25 mmHg, only 8 mmHg above the lowest normal tension of 17 mmHg. Dynamic studies using the model demonstrate differences in response of fetal arterial oxygen tension to temporal cord occlusion and temporal decrease in maternal placental flow.