If the ductus arteriosus fails to close at birth, what symptoms would you expect to see and why?

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The ductus arteriosus is responsible for shunting blood away from the lungs in the developing fetus. At birth, the ductus arteriosus is supposed to close, allowing blood flow to redirect to the lungs for oxygenation. Failure to close results in continued shunting of blood away from the lungs, leading to respiratory difficulty due to reduced oxygen uptake. Option B is incorrect because the liver is not directly involved in the functioning of the ductus arteriosus. Option C is incorrect because the kidneys are not directly affected by the ductus arteriosus. Option D is incorrect because the stomach is not involved in the ductus arteriosus.

If the Ductus Arteriosus Fails to Close at Birth, What