Birth Asphyxia Specialists in Janpath, Delhi

What is Birth Asphyxia?

Birth asphyxia is a condition in which a newborn does not receive adequate oxygen before, during, or immediately after delivery, leading to impaired function of the brain and other organs due to oxygen deprivation. It can result from complications affecting the placenta, umbilical cord, or the birthing process itself, and its severity ranges from mild, transient distress to severe, life-threatening oxygen deprivation causing lasting brain injury. Prompt recognition and resuscitation immediately after birth are critical, as the degree and duration of oxygen deprivation directly influence the risk of long-term complications such as cerebral palsy or developmental delay.

Causes of Birth Asphyxia

Results from interruption or reduction of oxygen supply to the baby due to problems such as placental abruption, umbilical cord compression or prolapse, prolonged or obstructed labor, maternal low blood pressure, or severe maternal illness during delivery. Risk factors include preeclampsia, placental insufficiency, breech presentation, and emergency situations during labor that are not promptly identified and managed. The degree of injury depends heavily on the severity and duration of the oxygen deprivation.

Symptoms of Birth Asphyxia

Weak or absent breathing effort at birth, low heart rate, pale, bluish, or poor skin color, poor muscle tone or floppiness, weak or absent cry, low Apgar scores at birth, seizures in the hours following delivery in more severe cases, difficulty feeding and lethargy in the days after birth

Treatment & Types of Birth Asphyxia in Janpath, Delhi

Immediate resuscitation at birth, including establishing an airway, providing supplemental oxygen, and supporting breathing and circulation, is critical to minimizing injury. For moderate to severe cases, therapeutic hypothermia, which involves carefully cooling the baby's body temperature within hours of birth, has been shown to reduce the risk of long-term brain injury when started promptly. Ongoing supportive care in a neonatal intensive care unit, along with close monitoring for seizures and organ dysfunction, continues through the recovery period.

Birth asphyxia severity is classified using the Apgar score and by the degree of resulting hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy — mild, moderate, or severe — based on the baby's level of alertness, muscle tone, reflexes, and presence of seizures in the hours after birth, which determines the intensity of treatment needed and the likely long-term outlook.

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