Infant Declining Breathing, Eating, or Digestion Birth Disorder Symptoms

Birth Asphyxia: What Happens?

Many times when people talk about birth asphyxia, they’re referring to hypoxia. Hypoxia refers to an environment in which there is limited oxygen. If your child experiences this condition, he or she did not have enough oxygen received by the body. However, the oxygen hasn’t been completely cut off.  Hypoxia is the more common condition, and it’s slightly less serious than what is known as anoxia; which refers to a complete lack of oxygen.

What You Need to Know

If your child experiences anoxia, their entire body will shut down. An environment like this has a complete lack of oxygen and therefore will harm your child. Anoxia is less likely to happen than hypoxia. But if your child experiences this issue, they will have a much higher risk for a serious birth disorder. With anoxia, the functions of your child may decline at a very fast pace.

The Dangers of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Your child’s functions will deteriorate if the brain does not receive an adequate amount of oxygen. This can lead to a brain disorder that has been titled hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, or HIE for short. Some of the most common symptoms of this disorder include:

  • Weak crying
  • Seizures
  • Abnormal movements
  • Floppy and unreactive to sights and sounds
  • Organ dysfunction in the lungs, liver, kidneys, or heart

Whenever your child displays signs of decline, it may be a sign of this disorder. It is defined by brain damage that can occur if your child is not getting enough oxygen to the brain. Some of the signs that your child may have hypoxia or anoxia include abnormal heart rate, bluish color to the skin, or too much acid within the bloodstream. What will ultimately lead to a decline in your child’s natural functions comes from something occurring abnormally within the organ systems of the body.

You should never take these symptoms lightly. The damage done to your child can be severe and lifelong. Not to mention that it may cause a significant financial burden as well. If your child experienced an injury like this, you should seek financial support.  As your child’s system starts to shut down and their normal functions decline, you will know that something has gone severely wrong. It is important to contact your child’s doctor as soon as possible if your child displays any of the signs mentioned above. They can be life-threatening, and they can last a lifetime. As a parent, you always want the best for your child and to ensure they live a long, happy life.

Article Citations

  1. Asyphyxia, ScienceDirect