If a baby is stressed, which organ may not receive adequate blood flow?

When a baby experiences stress, typically in the context of fetal distress, the body responds by prioritizing blood flow to vital organs to ensure survival. During this compensatory mechanism, both the brain and heart are given precedence for blood supply due to their critical functions.

The kidneys, while essential, can be deprived of adequate blood flow during periods of fetal distress because they are not immediately necessary for survival compared to the brain and heart. If the baby is under stress, the body may divert blood away from the kidneys to maintain perfusion to more vital organs. This can result in decreased urine output post-birth or alterations in fetal kidney function.

Therefore, in a situation where a baby is stressed, the kidneys may not receive sufficient blood flow, making them the organ that is most affected.