Birth Asphyxia Explained: Causes, Symptoms, and How It’s Treated in Newborns

ByDiwanshu Dika
Updated: 2 Jan 2026, 6:30 pm
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Seema Sharma,

Birth asphyxia occurs when a newborn doesn’t receive enough oxygen before, during, or right after birth. Knowing its causes, symptoms, and possible treatment options is essential for immediate medical interventions and long-term care. Furthermore, early diagnosis and timely treatment are necessary for improving newborn survival and developmental outcomes.

Pregatips
Birth asphyxia is one of the life-threatening conditions that may occur during childbirth, affecting thousands of newborns every year. It generally happens when a newborn fails to receive oxygen before, during, or immediately after delivery.
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Even a short interruption in oxygen supply may impact a baby’s vital organs, especially the brain, heart, or lungs, which require immediate medical attention. However, the condition may happen unexpectedly, even in pregnancies that progress normally.


Parents have no idea about the warning signs and clinical attention needed within the first few minutes of life. Birth asphyxia may even lead to long-term developmental issues, organ dysfunction, or life-threatening emergencies.


Let’s understand the causes, warning signs, and treatment options to ensure newborns' safety.


What are the Causes of Birth Asphyxia?


Birth asphyxia may arise from maternal, foetal, or delivery-related issues that obstruct the baby’s oxygen supply. Let’s understand these causes to help parents know about the potential risks.

  • Issues With Placental or Umbilical Cord Blood Flow

Any obstruction in the blood flow through the placenta or umbilical cord may disrupt the baby’s oxygen levels. Possible causes include placental abruption, umbilical cord compression, and prolapsed cord. All such factors may restrict the blood flow during labour, making them major contributors to the condition.

  • Difficult Labour

When labour gets unusually long or obstructed, the baby may experience increased stress and reduced oxygen supply. Furthermore, delay in delivery or improper foetal positioning may limit the placenta’s ability to deliver oxygen, ultimately increasing the risk of asphyxia.

  • Maternal Health Conditions

Mother’s health plays a significant role in providing or obstructing oxygen to her baby. If a woman has high blood pressure, it may reduce blood flow to the placenta. On the other hand, in the case of anaemia, it reduces the oxygen available in the mother’s bloodstream. Furthermore, infections may compromise both maternal and foetal well-being, making it challenging for the foetus to receive adequate oxygen.

  • Issues With the Baby’s Airways

Sometimes, right after birth, a baby’s airways may block due to mucus, meconium aspiration (inhaling stool-stained fluid), or congenital air-borne abnormalities. Such issues may prevent the newborn from taking proper breaths and maintaining optimal oxygen levels.


What are the Symptoms of Birth Asphyxia?


Understanding the symptoms of birth asphyxia early is crucial to improving a newborn’s chances of optimal recovery and long-term health. Here are the symptoms of birth asphyxia.


  • Weak or absent breathing
  • Poor muscle tone or a limp body
  • Pale, bluish, or grey skin colour
  • Slow heart rate
  • Weak reflexes
  • Seizures within the first hours or days of life
  • Difficulty feeding or inability to swallow milk
  • Low alertness or excessive sleepiness
  • Acidic blood detected through medical tests
  • Organ dysfunction

Note: These symptoms may appear immediately at birth or develop within the first 24-48 hours, depending on the severity of oxygen deprivation.


What are the Treatment Options for Birth Asphyxia?


Timely, effective treatment is crucial to prevent long-term complications and support healthy recovery. Here are the best treatment options for birth asphyxia.

  • Immediate Resuscitation

When a newborn is not breathing, has weak respirations, or a slower heart rate, doctors may perform immediate resuscitation. The treatment helps clear the airway of mucus or meconium, providing oxygen support to help the baby breathe. If the heartbeat remains too slow, the doctor may perform chest compressions to restore adequate circulation.

  • Therapeutic Hypothermia

Often known as cooling therapy, therapeutic hypothermia is one of the effective treatments for babies experiencing moderate to severe birth asphyxia. The technique helps lower the body’s temperature for about 72 hours, reducing brain inflammation and preventing further injury. Even research showed significant improvements in long-term neurological outcomes.

  • Mechanical Ventilation

If the baby is unable to breathe on their own or maintain stable oxygen levels, doctors provide mechanical ventilation to deliver oxygen. Furthermore, the treatment helps the newborn’s lungs and other vital organs recover completely. Depending on the severity of asphyxia, doctors may use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or complete mechanical ventilation to support the baby’s respiratory system.

  • Supportive NICU Care

Babies who experience birth asphyxia often require better care and support in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Specialised doctors in the NICU unit track the functioning of the baby’s vital organs, including the brain, heart, lungs, and kidneys, to detect early complications. Furthermore, doctors may provide dedicated nutritional support, like intravenous fluids or tube feeding, until they are strong enough to feed orally. The supportive NICU care also helps treat infections and other health issues that arise during recovery.


Birth asphyxia is a serious but manageable condition if detected early and managed with specialised medical care. Understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatment may help patients to know what to expect and ensure that newborns receive immediate support to lead healthy lives.


FAQs on Birth Asphyxia Explained: Causes, Symptoms, and How It’s Treated in Newborns

  1. Is it possible to detect birth asphyxia before delivery?
    It’s not firmly possible to detect birth asphyxia before delivery. But a few warning signs, such as abnormal foetal heart rate, reduced foetal movements, or placental complications, may indicate a higher risk and the need for quick, detailed monitoring.
  2. Is birth asphyxia the same as stillbirth?
    No, birth asphyxia occurs when a baby doesn’t get sufficient oxygen during labour or immediately after birth. On the other hand, stillbirth refers to the baby passing away before or during delivery.
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