Birth Asphyxia

Birth Asphyxia

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Diagnosis

The following are used to diagnose birth asphyxia:

• Severe acid levels -- pH less that 7.00 -- in the arterial blood of the umbilical cord

• Apgar score of 0 to 3 for longer than five minutes. The Apgar test is used just after birth to evaluate a newborn's color, heartbeat, reflexes, muscle tone and respiration.

• Neurological problems, such as seizures, coma and poor muscle tone.

• Respiratory distress, low blood pressure, or other signs of low blood flow to the kidneys or intestines. Problems with a baby's circulatory, digestive and respiratory systems may also suggest that a baby has birth asphyxia.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated May 8, 2007