Birth asphyxia

Birth Asphyxia

Birth asphyxia (pronunciation: /bɜːrθ æsˈfɪksiə/) is a medical condition that occurs when a newborn baby does not receive enough oxygen before, during, or just after birth. This can lead to physical harm, most commonly to the brain.

Etymology

The term "asphyxia" comes from the Greek words "a-" meaning "without", and "sphyxis" meaning "heartbeat". "Birth" is from the Old English "gebyrd" meaning "birth, descent, race, nature".

Causes

Birth asphyxia can be caused by a number of factors, including:

• Complications during pregnancy such as the mother's health condition or problems with the placenta or umbilical cord.
• Complications during labor and delivery such as prolonged or difficult labor, or issues with the umbilical cord during delivery.
• Medical conditions in the newborn, such as heart or lung conditions, or infections.

Symptoms

Symptoms of birth asphyxia can vary, but may include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Weak muscle tone
• Low heart rate
• Pale or blue skin color
• Seizures

Treatment

Treatment for birth asphyxia depends on the severity of the condition and may include:

• Resuscitation: This may include providing oxygen, clearing the baby's airway, or performing chest compressions.
• Therapeutic hypothermia: This treatment lowers the baby's body temperature to help reduce the risk of brain damage.
• Medication: Medications may be used to control seizures, support blood pressure, and manage other symptoms.

Related Terms

• Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE): A type of brain damage that occurs when an infant's brain doesn't receive enough oxygen and blood.
• Neonatal resuscitation: The intervention after a baby is born to help it breathe and to help its heart beat.
• Perinatal asphyxia: A decrease in blood flow to the baby's tissues or an interruption in the delivery of oxygen to the tissue during the perinatal period.

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Birth asphyxia
• Wikipedia's article - Birth asphyxia

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