Perinatal or birth asphyxia is the failure to establish breathing in a newborn. With over 900,000 deaths per year, this is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality. Birth asphyxia is commonly triggered by insufficient oxygen intake by the baby before, during, or after birth.
While perinatal asphyxia can be difficult to diagnose and prevent, there are a series of factors that can sound the alarm. By closely monitoring the fetus and mother throughout the pregnancy, doctors may detect the condition in time for treatment.
Symptoms That Can Lead to an Early Diagnosis
Doctors have a responsibility to closely monitor the health stats of the mother and fetus throughout the pregnancy. Any deviation from the standard measures could signal a possible problem.
The leading symptoms of birth asphyxia include:
- Prior to birth: Low pH levels and an irregular fetal heart rate can show increased acid in the fetus’ system.
- During birth: Weak breathing, stained amniotic fluid, decreased heart rate, and weak muscle tone can signal that something is wrong.
To diagnose the condition, medical experts are looking for a series of tell-tale signs like:
- High acid levels
- Neurologic problems (e.g. seizure or coma)
- Apgar score of 0-3 for more than five minutes
- Issues with organ systems
An early diagnosis can be the difference between life and death. If a child was not diagnosed or has suffered from birth asphyxia, parents might have grounds to pursue damages. A perinatal asphyxia lawyer from BIL Group may help with your case.
Possible Causes of Perinatal Asphyxia
There is a wide range of factors and conditions that can be linked to birth asphyxia. Doctors should closely monitor the fetus throughout the pregnancy, especially if any of the following factors are reported.
Complications of the Placenta
The placenta develops in the uterus during pregnancy and serves to supply nutrition and oxygen to the fetus. Complications of the placenta can lead to oxygen deprivation for the baby.
A common condition is placenta previa, when the placenta lies low in the uterus, covering the cervix. Placenta abruption is another complication that can endanger the fetus’ safety. In this case, the placenta separates from the uterus before birth due to an illness or injury.
Finally, during an umbilical cord prolapse, the umbilical cord gets compressed by the presenting part of the fetus. This is more likely to occur if there is a short umbilical cord.
Complications of the Uterus
The following complication of the uterus during pregnancy can also negatively impact the fetus:
- Uterine rupture is due to uterine inertia or uterine contractions which are too strong
- Uterine atony is abnormal softening of the uterus due to incomplete relaxation of smooth muscle in the walls of the lower part of the uterus
- Uterine hyperstimulation elevates blood pressure from increased blood flow to the uterus
Complications With the Fetus
Any deviation from the standard health stats of the fetus warrants consideration. Doctors routinely monitor for the following conditions and more:
- Malpresentation of the fetus before birth
- Fetal distress is an abnormal condition in a baby before birth; it can cause blood circulation interruption in the baby, and fetal distress leads to asphyxia or reduced oxygen supply
- Intrapartum asphyxia is caused by cord compression or fetal malposition
How to Treat Perinatal Asphyxia
The treatment mainly depends on the cause of their asphyxia. Therefore, depending on the specifics of the medical case, treatment can include:
- Medication
- Offering additional oxygen to the mother prior to delivery
- Emergency delivery
- Cesarean section
- Using a mechanical breathing machine
Predicting Asphyxia
While symptoms of birth asphyxia may not be obvious, doctors have a responsibility to notice the signs and take the appropriate measures to protect the wellbeing of the fetus and mother. If the medical experts responsible for the pregnancy fail in their professional duty toward patients, they may be exposed to legal action.
If your child has suffered from diagnosable perinatal asphyxia or any other birth injury, you may file a claim against the medical expert responsible. An attorney can advise on the best way to proceed with your claim, based on the specifics of the case.
About the author: Mark Scott
With a law degree under his belt, Mark Scott understood very early that law communication was a relatively neglected area. He decided to help people by “translating” the language and offering information and advice in a clear, useful, and actionable manner. For this reason, instead of finding him in court, you will most likely find his name online, where he is very active and thriving as a legal columnist. His part of making the world a better place is to make the law a less convoluted maze. He aims to make it easier for people to understand when and how to seek legal counsel, how to proceed in a significant number of legal matters, and to find the proper resources so they can stand up for their rights.
