Birth asphyxia is the inability of a newly born baby to establish optimum respiration after birth. The passage describes its systemic consequences and the proportions of neonates needing support.
Physiological consequences
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Birth asphyxia causes progressive hypoxia, hypercapnia, hypoperfusion, and acidosis.
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It affects major organ systems, including the central nervous system, heart, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs, and may cause multiorgan dysfunction.
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Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy resulting from asphyxia may cause long-term neuromotor sequelae.
Need for resuscitation
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Approximately 85% of neonates born at term do not require resuscitation.
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Around 10% of neonates require initial drying and stimulation.
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Approximately 5% require positive pressure ventilation at birth.
Reported mortality burden
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This passage reports around six lakh newborn deaths annually in India, with approximately 19% attributed to birth asphyxia.