Loss of Oxygen at Birth: What Are the Long-Term Effects?

If a scuba diver’s oxygen tank malfunctions, they could get stranded without air far beneath the ocean’s surface. It’s a dire situation, comparable to a baby’s plight when experiencing a lack of oxygen at birth. 

Babies rely on oxygen delivered through the placenta from the mother’s bloodstream. If something “malfunctions” and cuts off the oxygen supply, a baby can incur brain damage and other long-term effects. 

Unfortunately, about 4% of babies experience oxygen deprivation at birth, according to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Going without this vital substance can have long-term effects. So it’s crucial to identify the cause and rectify the problem right away. 

Oxygen that lasts just minutes can cause loss of life. Globally, birth asphyxia contributes to about 23% of all newborn deaths.

What Causes Loss of Oxygen at Birth?

Before babies take their first breaths, they have to rely on their mother for oxygen. During the birth process, the mother’s oxygen is still available. But birth is a complex, dynamic event. It can sometimes pose challenges that affect the baby’s ability to get enough oxygen. 

Various factors can cause oxygen deprivation at birth. The most common ones include:

• The umbilical cord gets squeezed as the baby moves through the birth canal.
• The umbilical cord exits the uterus before the baby (cord prolapse).
• The baby passes stool (meconium) into the amniotic fluid and inhales it before or around the time of birth.
• Drugs given to the mother, like pain medications or anesthesia, affect the baby’s respiratory system.
• The placenta separates from the uterus before delivery (placental abruption).
• The baby has birth defects in the lungs that impair their ability to breathe at birth.
• One or both of the baby’s shoulders get stuck while passing through the birth canal (shoulder dystocia).
• The mother experiences heavy bleeding.
• Labor is long and difficult because the baby is large and/or the mother’s pelvis is small.
• The baby doesn’t enter the birth canal head first.
• The mother has an infection, such as chorioamnionitis.

Doctors and nurses undergo rigorous training to handle birth emergencies. But despite their expertise, certain circumstances can surpass their control. Placental issues or sudden umbilical cord complications can take them by surprise. These events require quick decision-making and interventions beyond standard protocols. 

On the other hand, doctors can be held responsible for oxygen deprivation at birth if they mishandle complications or act negligently. For example, they might fail to monitor fetal distress signs. They might delay performing an emergency cesarean section when needed. Both of those situations can lead to severe consequences. 

Signs of Oxygen Deprivation at Birth

One of the ways doctors can prevent the long-term effects of loss of oxygen at birth is by recognizing its signs and symptoms.

The signs can be as subtle as a slight delay in the baby’s first cry. Or, they can be as overt as cyanosis. That’s a condition where the baby’s skin turns a bluish color due to lack of oxygen. 

Other signs of oxygen loss include:

• A low APGAR score (This is a test that measures the newborn’s color, heart rate, reflexes, muscle tone, and breathing effort at one and five minutes after birth.)
• A weak cry
• Poor muscle tone
• Rapid or labored breathing
• Nasal flaring
• Grunting sounds
• Seizures
• Significant decrease in heart rate
• Meconium-stained amniotic fluid (this could indicate that the baby went into distress because of oxygen deprivation). 

Treatment for Loss of Oxygen at Birth

Prompt recognition results in immediate intervention. So the medical team needs to be on the watch for the signs of loss of oxygen at birth. 

A baby’s brain cells need oxygen to function. They’re fragile and susceptible to damage. Severe brain injury or death can occur after just a brief time without oxygen. But swift treatment can help prevent long-term effects of oxygen deprivation, like cerebral palsy and developmental delays.

Initial treatment methods for lack of oxygen at birth include:

• Providing oxygen to the baby
• Resuscitating the baby if they’re not breathing
• Therapeutic hypothermia (lowering the baby’s head and/or body temperature to prevent or stop brain damage)

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, about 10% of babies need assistance to begin breathing at birth. 1% need extensive resuscitation. 

Lack of Oxygen at Birth: Long-Term Effects

When a baby doesn’t get enough oxygen at birth, and treatment is delayed, they’ll likely suffer long-term effects, such as the following:

Hypoxic-ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a type of brain injury. It develops when there is a reduced supply of oxygen and blood flow to a baby’s brain before, during, or shortly after birth. It can cause cerebral palsy, developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, seizures, and other neurological impairments.

Cerebral Palsy

One major long-term effect of oxygen deprivation is cerebral palsy. This is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance. Children with cerebral palsy may have stiff or weak muscles and trouble with coordination. They may also have difficulties with speech, vision, and learning.

Developmental Delays

This means the child may take longer to reach milestones like walking, talking, or learning. These delays can impact their ability to perform everyday activities and succeed in school.

Seizures

Seizures are another possible long-term effect of lack of oxygen at birth. Some children who suffer oxygen deprivation develop epilepsy. This is a condition that causes recurrent seizures. They can be mild to severe, and may require lifelong treatment. 

Intellectual Disabilities

Children with intellectual disabilities have trouble understanding new information, solving problems, and learning new skills. They may have lower IQ scores than their peers. Their impairments may affect their ability to live independently as adults.

Developmental Disorders

Children who experience mild oxygen deprivation can develop autism, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and learning disabilities. They can also develop dyspraxia—a neurological disorder impacting motor task planning and processing.

Behavioral Problems

Children might have trouble paying attention, be hyperactive, or struggle with social interactions. These issues can make it hard for them to form friendships and do well in school.

Hearing and Vision Problems

Some children develop hearing loss of vision impairment due to loss of oxygen at birth. This can affect their communication and learning abilities.

Organ Damage

In severe cases, a lack of oxygen can damage a baby’s organs. It could affect the heart, kidneys, or liver, requiring long-term medical care. 

Are Long-Term Effects from Lack of Oxygen at Birth Malpractice?

If your child was injured because of oxygen deprivation at birth, it could be a doctor’s fault. But not always. Some emergencies are impossible to detect. 

Medical malpractice is when a healthcare provider’s actions deviate from the “standard of care”, causing harm to the patient. That means they didn’t provide treatment that any skilled doctor would provide in similar circumstances.  

If you can show that your healthcare provider’s actions fell below the standard of care and caused harm to your baby, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim. By filing a claim, you could recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. To find out if you qualify, contact our birth injury malpractice team.

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