The foramen ovale is an opening between the right and left
atria of the fetal/infant heart. This is a pathological opening that allows blood in the
infant circulation to flow from atria to atria. When blood flows in this manner it
bypasses the lungs. In a vast majority of cases the foramen closes on its own shortly
after the baby is born. In a small number of cases, the opening does not close on its
own and these infants will have to undergo surgical repair of the
foramen.
Normally the blood that leaves the right atrium
enters the right ventricle. From the right ventricle the blood travels to the lungs.
Infants with an open foramen ovale experience deficiencies in oxygenation because of the
abnormal shunting of blood. When this occurs all tissues are deprived of
oxygen.
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