Oxygen deprivation, or asphyxia, is a known and substantial risk during labor and delivery. When newborns suffer from a lack of oxygen, they can experience significant short- and long-term health consequences, including lifelong disabilities and developmental delays. In the most severe cases, oxygen deprivation or anoxia – the term used to describe no oxygen reaching the brain – consequences can be fatal.
Because oxygen deprivation has the potential to result in serious complications and impairment, birth injury cases involving newborns who suffered from a lack of oxygen focus on whether injuries could and should have been prevented. This means focusing on a few important elements:
- The cause of oxygen deprivation during labor or delivery
- Whether substandard care played a role
- The damages and long-term effects suffered by newborns and their families
At Beam Legal Team, our Chicago-based birth injury attorneys have helped numerous families across the country after medical malpractice resulted in injuries to their children. These include families whose newborns suffered developmental delays and long-term disabilities as a result of a preventable lack of oxygen.
Symptoms of Oxygen Deprivation in Newborns
Immediate Signs
Healthcare providers must be vigilant in recognizing the following symptoms immediately after delivery:
- Blue or pale skin
- Weak muscle tone
- Difficulty breathing
- Low heart rate
These are all indicators that a newborn may be struggling with insufficient oxygen. Recognizing these symptoms and responding promptly are critical to minimize the potential for long-term damage.
Delayed Symptoms
While some signs of oxygen deprivation are obvious right after birth, others may take time to surface. These delayed symptoms can include developmental delays or trouble reaching milestones. Neurological issues like seizures or abnormal reflexes may be evident.
It’s important for parents and healthcare providers to monitor for these signs as the child grows. Early detection can lead to more effective intervention.
Diagnostic Tools and Techniques
APGAR Scores
Shortly after birth, healthcare providers use APGAR scores to evaluate a newborn’s health. This scoring system assesses five key factors to determine whether a baby may have experienced oxygen deprivation.
- Appearance: This evaluates the baby’s skin color, looking for signs of adequate blood flow and oxygenation. A healthy baby typically has a pink complexion.
- Pulse: The baby’s heart rate is measured to ensure it is within a normal range. A strong and regular heartbeat indicates good cardiovascular function.
- Grimace: This refers to the baby’s reflex irritability, such as their response to a gentle pinch or suction. A vigorous cry or grimace is a good sign of neurological well-being.
- Activity: The baby’s muscle tone and movement are observed. Active movement of the limbs suggests healthy muscle and nerve function.
- Respiration: The baby’s breathing effort and rate are assessed. Strong, regular breathing is essential for oxygen intake and carbon dioxide removal.
A low APGAR score could be an early sign that the infant was deprived of oxygen, which should prompt further investigation and immediate care.
Imaging and Tests
Various diagnostic tests are also employed to assess possible brain injury. MRIs, CT scans, and EEGs are some of the most common tests used to evaluate brain activity and structure, helping medical professionals determine the existence of damage. Using these tests can help them quickly develop a plan of treatment.
Causes of Oxygen Deprivation and Preventable Injuries
While some cases of oxygen deprivation may result from factors beyond the control of healthcare providers, others result from the failures of nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals. This includes failures to treat patients in accordance with accepted medical standards, such as when healthcare providers:
- Fail to recognize fetal distress and problems during delivery that a reasonable medical professional would have recognized under similar circumstances
- Fail to address risks involving the mother during pregnancy
- Fail to provide appropriate solutions to complications
- Improperly delayed C-sections or delivery
- Failure to perform a C-section
- Failure to identify umbilical cord problems, including a nuchal cord
When newborns suffer from a lack of oxygen for any reason, they can experience a condition known as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). According to scientific studies, oxygen deprivation can result in mental impairment and developmental delays even at low levels and is associated with a number of long-term conditions. While some cases of low-level hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy have been linked to developmental delays that persist for as long as five years after birth, mild and more severe oxygen deprivation have been linked to permanent brain damage and long-term problems with development.
In a previous blog, we discussed the long-term effects of birth asphyxia in depth.
Birth Injuries and impairments resulting from oxygen deprivation can include:
- Learning difficulties and developmental delays, including delayed speech, autism, attention deficit disorder, and movement disorders involving gross and fine motor skills
- Missed developmental milestones
- Behavioral problems and difficulty with social skills
- Cerebral palsy
- Epilepsy
Depending on the severity of impairment and developmental disabilities, children may require specialized care, including specialized education, therapy (physical, behavioral, speech, etc.), medication, increased medical attention, and even home modifications. In severe cases, these needs are elevated and can persist for lifetimes. As a result, families often find these requirements financially and emotionally taxing.
The Role of Timely Intervention
Emergency C-Sections
When signs of fetal distress are detected, such as abnormal heart rates or reduced movement, an emergency C-section may be necessary to prevent oxygen deprivation and to protect the health of the mother. Delays in performing a C-section can lead to severe consequences, as prolonged oxygen deprivation can cause irreversible brain damage.
Post-Birth Interventions
Even after birth, immediate interventions can play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of oxygen deprivation. Therapeutic hypothermia is an example of post-birth treatment that involves cooling the baby’s body temperature to slow the progression of brain injury. This and other post-birth interventions can significantly reduce the severity of brain damage.
Long-Term Effects of Oxygen Deprivation
One long-term side effect that is not often considered is the effects that asphyxia can have on the entire family. All members of the family will likely be involved in the extensive care that is required for the child with cerebral palsy, autism, or another developmental disability. The consequences of birth defects can often last a lifetime for each person involved.
Proven Birth Injury Lawyers Can Help
If you believe your child has suffered harm, developmental delays, or permanent impairment as a result of oxygen deprivation during birth, you may be entitled to compensation if the injuries were caused by the negligence of treating medical professionals. At Beam Legal Team, our attorneys leverage decades of combined experience to help families review their situations and determine if they have a valid case. When they do, we help them fight for the compensation they rightfully deserve. Over the years, we have done just that – securing over half a billion dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients, including those whose losses were caused by their child suffering from a lack of oxygen.
Originally published September 15, 2017.
To discuss a potential case with a member of our team, contact us for a FREE consultation.
