Patient's question:
NoDoctor's answer:
After the fetus is born, pulmonary blood flow increases, and the amount of blood returning to the left atrium also increases. The pressure in the left atrium exceeds that in the right atrium, causing the first atrial septum to adhere closely to the second atrial septum, leading to the functional closure of the foramen ovale. The anatomical closure of the foramen ovale occurs around one year of age. In 20%-25% of people, the foramen ovale never closes anatomically, but this does not cause abnormal hemodynamics and is of no clinical significance. In newborns, the ductus arteriosus completely closes within 6-8 weeks to become the ligamentum arteriosum. In 95% of people, the ductus arteriosus completely closes within one year after birth. If the ductus arteriosum does not close, it becomes a patent ductus arteriosus. Currently, it is 16 days since the birth. You can have a follow-up echocardiogram in 2-3 months.