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Abstract Background Transition from intrauterine to extrauterine life is a critical phase during which several changes occur in cardiovascular system. In clinical practice, it is important to have a method that allows an easy, rapid and precise evaluation of hemodynamic status of a newborn for clinical management. We here propose a rapid, broadly applicable method to monitor cardiovascular function using ultrasonic cardiac output monitoring (USCOM). Methods We here present data obtained from a cohort of healthy term newborns (n = 43) born by programmed cesarean section at Fondazione MBBM, Ospedale San Gerardo. Measurements were performed during the first hour of life, then at 6 + 2, at 12–24, and 48 h of life. We performed a screening echocardiography to identify a patent duct at 24 h and, if patent, it was repeated at 48 h of life. Results We show that physiologically, during the first 48 h of life, blood pressure and systemic vascular resistance gradually increase, while there is a concomitant reduction in stroke volume, cardiac output, and cardiac index. The presence of patent ductus arteriosus significantly reduces cardiac output (p = 0.006) and stroke volume (p = 0.023). Furthermore, newborns born at 37 weeks of gestational age display significantly lower cardiac output (p