Oxygen deprivation at birth is a frightening reality for many families. When a baby doesn’t get enough oxygen during delivery, the results can be life-altering. Even a brief period of oxygen deprivation can lead to severe health problems, including brain damage, developmental delays, and other lifelong disabilities. Parents often struggle with heartbreak, unexpected medical expenses, and uncertainty about their child’s future.
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Oxygen Deprivation at Birth: How Birth Asphyxia Happens
Birth asphyxia, also known as oxygen deprivation at birth, occurs when a baby’s brain and other organs do not receive enough oxygen before, during, or immediately after delivery. Even mild oxygen deprivation can lead to severe, lifelong health conditions and, in some cases, death.
Birth asphyxia can result from several factors, including delayed C-sections, umbilical cord complications like cord prolapse or cord around the baby’s neck, placental issues such as placenta abruption or previa, and medical negligence by doctors, nurses, or hospital staff.
Preventing Birth Asphyxia: Key Measures Hospitals Must Follow
Preventing birth asphyxia requires careful monitoring and timely medical intervention. Hospitals and medical professionals must take proactive steps to protect newborns during labor and delivery.
- Continuous Fetal Monitoring: Medical staff must closely monitor the baby’s heart rate throughout labor to detect signs of fetal distress. Sudden drops in heart rate may indicate oxygen deprivation, requiring immediate intervention.
- Prompt Decision-Making for C-Sections: Delays in performing an emergency C-section can lead to prolonged oxygen deprivation. Doctors must quickly assess the situation and act when fetal distress is detected.
- Managing Umbilical Cord Complications: Medical teams should be trained to recognize and address umbilical cord issues, such as cord prolapse or cord around the baby’s neck, which can restrict oxygen flow.
- Ensuring Adequate Staffing: Hospitals must maintain properly trained staff in the delivery room to handle emergencies effectively. A lack of qualified personnel can result in delayed or improper care.
When hospitals or medical professionals fail to follow these standards of care, their actions may be considered negligent. Families who experience birth asphyxia due to negligence may have a valid medical malpractice claim.
Early Signs of Birth Asphyxia
The effects of birth asphyxia typically show up with a low Apgar score, a system that doctors use to rate a baby’s skin color, reflexes, muscle tone, breathing, and heart rate right after birth. Apgar scores range from 0 to 10, and a very low Apgar score (0 to 3) that lasts longer than 5 minutes may be a sign of oxygen deprivation. The degree of harm to the baby depends on: the amount of time the baby lacked oxygen; the baby’s level of oxygen at birth; and how quickly proper treatment is administered.
Long-Term Effects of Lack of Oxygen During Birth
According to research studies, even mild oxygen deprivation at birth can have long-lasting effects. In addition to lung, heart, and muscle problems, it can cause seizures, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. Studies show that babies who don’t get enough oxygen at birth are at greater risk of developing disabilities including epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and long-term intellectual disabilities. In studies that followed affected babies with mild and severe oxygen deprivation for five years, results showed higher rates of lower IQ scores, poor memory, delayed speech, attention deficit disorder, autism, and dyspraxia. Premature babies who suffer oxygen deprivation are especially vulnerable to developmental delays, cerebral palsy, and attention deficit disorder (ADHD).
How Medical Professionals Treat Birth Asphyxia
Babies who suffer severe birth asphyxia often require continuous health monitoring and medical intervention that includes:
- Therapeutic Hypothermia (Cooling Therapy)
- Mechanical ventilation (a breathing machine)
- Respiratory therapy
- Blood pressure medications
- Seizure medications
- Intravenous fluids and nutrition to support overall recovery
Therapeutic Hypothermia to Reduce Brain Damage From Oxygen Deprivation at Birth
Research shows that therapeutic hypothermia is a possible treatment for babies who suffer brain damage from birth asphyxia. The treatment, also referred to as therapeutic cooling, involves cooling the baby’s body temperature to about 91 degrees F (33.5 degrees C) for up to 72 hours. This is shown to protect the baby’s brain from damage during the second stage of asphyxia by restoring normal blood flow and oxygen. For this treatment to be successful, medical professionals must begin treatment within 6 hours after birth.
Legal Rights for Families Affected by Birth Asphyxia
Birth injuries are some of the most common types of medical malpractice in the United States. If your child suffered oxygen deprivation at birth due to medical negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Families can file a medical malpractice claim against the doctor, hospital, or other responsible parties. Compensation may cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, and long-term care costs.
Contact an experienced medical malpractice lawyer to find out if you have a birth injury claim against the doctor or hospital. Your attorney will help you understand what signs of medical malpractice to look for and will evaluate your overall case.
Contacting a birth injury lawyer at Ankin Law will increase your chances of bringing a successful claim and maximizing your recovery.
No baby should suffer harm because of negligent medical care. Contact our experienced Chicago birth asphyxia attorneys today for a free consultation. We will fight for the justice and compensation your family deserves.
