Neonatal asphyxia is a medical condition where a baby is born without enough oxygen. This can happen before, during, or immediately after pregnancy and is one of the most frightening conditions for a new parent to witness. Neonatal asphyxia is also known as birth asphyxia or perinatal asphyxia, and it can have serious complications if it is not treated quickly.
When neonatal asphyxia happens in the womb, it is typically because you have a medical condition or low blood oxygen levels, and the baby is not getting enough oxygen. When it happens during or after birth, it is usually because of a complication during birth. Either way, the goal of treatment is to restore normal oxygen levels in your baby and have them breathing easily on their own.
Luckily, neonatal asphyxia is fairly easy to diagnose and treat as long as it is done quickly. The sooner you treat neonatal asphyxia, the less likely your baby is to experience physical or developmental difficulties.
Most cases of neonatal asphyxia happen while the baby is still in the womb. While causes can vary, the most common reason for neonatal asphyxia in the womb is because the mother has inadequate blood oxygen levels. If this is the case, you will be put on oxygen therapy to boost your oxygen levels and ensure your baby has enough to breathe.
While medications typically cannot cure neonatal asphyxia, they can help treat and mitigate potential symptoms.
If part of the reason your child has neonatal asphyxia is because of high blood pressure, blood pressure medications can help. Hydralazine and amlodipine can relax the arterial walls and reduce your baby’s blood pressure, making it easier to breathe.
Seizures are a common side effect of neonatal asphyxia. Therefore, your child may need anti-seizure medications, such as lamotrigine or clobazam, to limit seizures.
Neonatal asphyxia takes a dangerous toll on the kidneys and can cause kidney failure. Therefore, your child may need to be put on dialysis to strengthen and protect their kidneys until they are cured.
Babies born with neonatal asphyxia will have very weak bowels and internal organs. Therefore, they may need to be fed via an IV during their first few days of life until the condition is cured. This is necessary because their bowels may not be strong enough to pass stool.
Following your child’s birth, if they are showing signs of neonatal asphyxia, your doctor will put them on a mechanical ventilator. The ventilator will force oxygen into your child’s lungs, enabling them to breathe when they cannot on their own. However, this is a temporary fix, and your doctor will still need to treat the underlying condition causing the asphyxia.
In some situations where neonatal asphyxia is deemed a possibility that is enhanced by having a vaginal birth, your doctor will recommend a C-section. This happens when the baby is dangerously low on oxygen and needs to be delivered immediately. C-sections are also recommended for certain breech positions that can impair your baby’s oxygen levels.
If your baby is born with neonatal asphyxia and a cure is not immediately available, your doctor may recommend therapeutic hypothermia. This treatment lowers the body temperature and protects the brain from permanent damage when they do not have enough oxygen. They can continue this treatment for up to 72 hours and gives your doctor time to come up with a treatment plan.
While neonatal asphyxia is frightening for parents and can be serious for babies, most cases of the condition are very treatable. Treating and curing neonatal asphyxia requires an early diagnosis, treating the condition itself, and treating any underlying conditions.