What causes Birth Asphyxia? NICU explanations | Dr. Bryan Read

In the delicate, mesmerizing moments of birth, a life-altering condition can sometimes occur – birth asphyxia. Welcome, concerned parents and caregivers. I am Dr. Read, a board-certified neonatologist and father of a NICU infant, here to guide you through understanding birth asphyxia, its causes, and its impacts.

Birth asphyxia is a medical condition that arises when a baby does not receive sufficient oxygen before, during, or immediately following birth. This can happen for several reasons, often involving the placenta, umbilical cord, complications during delivery, or issues with the baby's lungs, heart, or brain. In these scenarios, oxygen and essential nutrients are deprived, potentially leading to birth asphyxia. It's important to remember that these examples and various other factors could contribute.

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Lack of oxygen can induce a state of shock in an infant's body, resulting in slow heart rate and breathing and a drop in blood pressure. Long periods of oxygen deprivation can cause brain damage. The extent of birth asphyxia can range depending on how long the baby was deprived of oxygen. It could be temporary, like low blood sugar or difficulty breathing, or it can have long-lasting effects, like cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, or hearing loss.

Birth asphyxia is relatively common, affecting about 1 in 1000 babies born in the US. The severity, however, varies widely. While there is no cure, there are treatments to prevent or mitigate the damage caused by oxygen deprivation.

Here's a brief run-down of the top 10 causes of birth asphyxia:

Prematurity: Underdeveloped lungs and brains in premature babies can increase the risk.

Birth trauma: Occurring during delivery can make the baby's transition into the world difficult.

Congenital malformations: Congenital disabilities that affect the baby's lungs, heart, or other organs.

Maternal health problems: Health issues in mothers, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or anemia, can elevate the risk.

Meconium aspiration arises when the baby inhales meconium (the first stool) before or during birth.

Umbilical cord problems: Issues like compression or prolapse can hamper oxygen delivery to the baby.

Placenta problems: Conditions like abruption or previa can reduce the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the baby.

Sepsis: A severe infection that can affect the baby's ability to deliver blood and nutrients to the brain and body.

Blood loss: Low blood volumes in babies can impact the delivery of blood to the brain.

Unknown causes: Sometimes, the cause remains unknown.

As an expert and parent, I am here to help you navigate this challenging journey. Knowledge is empowering, and understanding birth asphyxia can provide a path to better care for your precious little one.

We hope this playlist provides the information and support you need to help your baby recover from birth asphyxia. If you are anxious and hoping to relax, click the links to creative projects you can do in the NICU that will encourage stress relief and meditation.

I am a Neonatologist who has spent almost a decade in the NICU caring for infants and families. We invite you to try journaling. The journal aims to be a stress-free way to process you and your baby's experience. There are so many perks to journaling.

A journal will:
Always listen
Never interrupt you
Never Judge
Give you time to think and process
Always Remember
It can be whatever you need

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Disclaimer: This video and its contents are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as, nor should it be considered, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider or physician for any questions about your or your baby's health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it based on the information provided in this video. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 911 immediately.