But preemies often have heart problems. Though they have a heart that beats early, it still needs more time to develop and grow to be fully functional :)
That is most often because the ductus arteriosus does not close properly, forming the ligamentum arteriosum. The ductus directly connects the pulmonary artery and the aorta, since the fetus' lungs are not the site for gas exchange (they are filled with amniotic fluid) to re-oxygenate the blood. The heart is usually otherwise fully developed, even in prematures.
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