ame scores at 10 minutes. With prolonged asphyxia, brain, heart, kidney, and lung damage can result and also death, if the asphyxiation lasts longer than 10 minutes.
Anticipation is the key to preventing asphyxia neonatorum. It is important to identify fetuses that are likely to be at risk of asphyxia and to closely monitor such high-risk pregnancies. High-risk mothers should always give birth in hospitals with neonatal intensive care units where appropriate facilities are available to treat asphyxia neonatorum. During labor, the medical team must be ready to intervene appropriately and to be adequately prepared for resuscitation.
Adrenaline —Another name for epinephrine, the hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress. It is the principal blood-pressure raising hormone and a bronchial and intestinal smooth muscles relaxant.
Anemia —A condition in which there is an abnormally low number of red blood cells in the bloodstream. It may be due to loss of blood, an increase in red blood cell destruction, or a decrease in red blood cell production. Major symptoms are paleness, shortness of breath, unusually fast or strong heart beats, and tiredness.
Anesthesia —Treatment with medicine that causes a loss of feeling, especially pain. Local anesthesia numbs only part of the body; general anesthesia causes loss of consciousness.
Apgar score —The results of an evaluation of a newborn's physical status, including heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, response to stimulation, and color of skin.
Asphyxia —Lack of oxygen.
Asphyxia neonatorum —Respiratory failure in the newborn.
Bradycardia —A slow heart rate, usually under 60 beats per minute.
Cyanosis —A bluish tinge to the skin that can occur when the blood oxygen level drops too low.
Hemoglobin —An iron-containing pigment of red blood cells composed of four amino acid chains (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) that delivers oxygen from the lungs to the cells of the body and carries carbon dioxide from the cells to the lungs.
Hypotonia —Having reduced or diminished muscle tone or strength.
Hypoxia —A condition characterized by insufficient oxygen in the cells of the body
Neonatal —Refers to the first 28 days of an infant's life.
Oropharynx —One of the three regions of the pharynx, the oropharynx is the region behind the mouth.
Respiratory failure —Inability to rid the body of CO 2 or establish an adequate blood oxygen level.
Resuscitation —Bringing a person back to life or consciousness after he or she was apparently dead.
Women at risk for asphyxia neonatorum pregnancies should receive focused prenatal care from an obstetrician skilled at preventing and detecting problems such as anemia that may contribute to asphyxia neonatorum. While prenatal care will not necessarily prevent newborn asphyxia, it can help ensure that both the mother and her baby are as healthy as possible at the time of birth.
See also Hypotonia .
Birth Asphyxia and the Brain: Basic Science and Clinical Implications. Edited by Steven M. Donn et al. Malden, MA: Futura Publishing Co., 2002.
Cheung, P. Y., and C. M. Robertson. "Predicting the outcome of term neonates with intrapartum asphyxia." Acta Paediatrica 89, no. 3 (March 2000): 262–264.
Clark, R., and J. A. Carcillo. "Is it time to revisit a role for antithrombotic therapy in asphyxia neonatorum?" Pediatric Critical Care Medicine 5, no. 2 (March 2004): 198–199.
Wiswell, T. E. "Neonatal resuscitation." Respiratory Care 48, no. 3 (March 2003): 288–294.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). 141 Northwest Point Blvd., Elk Grove Village, IL, 60007. Web site: http://www.aap.org>
Dave Woods. "Neonatal resuscitation." International Association for Maternal and Neonatal Health. Available online at http://www.gfmer.ch/Medical_education_En/PGC_RH_2004/Neonatal_asphyxia.htm (accessed October 11, 2004).
Monique Laberge, Ph.D.