[PFC syndrome (persistent fetal circulation). Central cyanosis in a full-term newborn infant without congenital heart defect].

In a case report the main features of the PFC-syndrome (persistent fetal circulation) are demonstrated: 1. general central cyanosis, 2. pulmonary hypertension, 3. right-to-left shunting via foramen ovale and (or) ductus arteriosus. At postmortem analysis in some of these patients the muscular thickness of the pulmonary vessels was found to be increased: primary PFC-syndrome. Hypoxia, shock, and many pulmonary disturbances of the newborn can produce the clinical picture of "persistent fetal circulation": secondary PFC-syndrome. Under adequate therapy with O2-insufflation, vasodilatory drugs, and if necessary mechanical ventilation the prognosis in the majority of cases is good.