Why do babies lose oxygen at birth?

Neonatal asphyxia (perinatal asphyxia or neonatal asphyxia) occurs when the baby does not receive enough oxygen during labor. Neonatorial ASFIXATION can be a deadly disease, such as fetal distress.

In fact, severe neonatal asphyxia can trigger abnormalities due to brain injury or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Lack of oxygen and blood can cause this brain disorder.

Babies born prematurely, as well as babies born to mothers with pregnancy disorders such as diabetes mellitus or preeclampsia, have a high risk for neonatal asphyxia. In addition, low birth weight babies are also susceptible to neonatal asphyxia.

Symptoms and causes of neonatal asphyxia

Symptoms of neonatal asphyxia can be felt directly or indirectly after delivery. Fetal heart rates that are too high or too low can serve as a reference for neonatal asphyxia.

1. Symptoms of Asphyxia Neonatorum
Some of the symptoms of neonatal asphyxia that can be seen at birth include:

• Pale or bluish skin (cyanosis)
• Difficulty in breathing, indicated by nasal lobe breathing or abdominal breathing
• Low pulse rate
• Stiff or weak limbs (hiotonia)
• Bad response to stimulation

The more babies lack of oxygen, the symptoms of asphyxia will worsen. In these severe symptoms, several organs such as the lungs, heart, kidneys and brain can be damaged. Damage appears directly or indirectly.

Damage occurs directly when cells lacking oxygen are disrupted. Meanwhile, damage occurs indirectly, through free radicals of cells that lack oxygen.
 
2. Causes of neonatal asphyxia

The whole process that causes interference with the baby's oxygen absorption can cause neonatal asphyxia. Therefore, during labor, the doctor or midwife must ensure that maternal and infant oxygen levels are reached to prevent neonatal asphyxia. Some of the causes of neonatal asphyxia are:

• Baby's respiratory tract is blocked
• Anemia that prevents blood from carrying enough oxygen
• The work process is long or difficult
• Pregnant women do not get enough oxygen before or during work
• Pregnant women have high or low blood pressure at work
• Mother and / or baby has an infection
• The placenta is released too quickly from the uterus, so it loses oxygen
• The baby was wrapped around the umbilical cord
• infection

In general, after the birth of a newborn, the doctor will check using a rating system called the Apgar score. This test takes place within the first five minutes of birth.

The Apgar score will indicate the respiratory status, pulse rate, general condition, response to the stimulation and contraction of the baby's muscles. Each variable in the Apgar score is graded from 0 to 2. The lower the Apgar score, the higher the risk of neonatal asphyxia.

Therapy and treatment of neonatal asphyxia

Resuscitation is done to restore the baby's breath with neonatal asphyxia. The medical team will take various steps to save the baby by smoothing the airways, giving oxygen and massaging the heart.

In addition, the doctor can also give medication and install a respirator by intubation. All measures are taken to prevent the decrease in asphyxia in infants.

Anticipation is the best way to prevent neonatal asphyxia. Identification of maternal and infant risk factors during pregnancy will help all medical personnel prepare for the actions needed to prevent and sensitize infants with neonatal asphyxia.

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