How long can babies go without breathing

  • faints and cannot be woken up
  • is shaking or jerking because of a fit
  • is blue or grey

These could be symptoms of breath-holding, but could also be related to other, more serious conditions. If a doctor has not previously told you it's breath-holding, it's important to get it checked immediately.

Babies with mild or moderate asphyxia may recover fully. If the cells did not get enough oxygen for a longer time, a baby may have permanent injury. This could affect their brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, bowels or other organs.

Body cooling (therapeutic hypothermia) can improve outcomes for babies born at full term or near term. But babies born 5 or more weeks early cannot have body cooling. In the most severe cases, asphyxia can lead to organ failure and death.

If a baby is thought to have suffered a period of oxygen deprivation then a swift response is critical in minimising the effect that this may have on the child’s mental and physical development.

One of the leading treatments for cases of birth asphyxia is therapeutic hypothermia. This is a treatment that cools the baby’s brain to around 32 degrees for 72 hours following birth. This is believed to slow down the chemical reactions in the brain, giving the brain a chance to repair itself while it is not overwhelmed by other activity.

Of course, the most effective treatment is prevention, which can be achieved through care during the antenatal period, labour and delivery. The medical professionals involved in any birth should have the expertise and experience to recognise signs of oxygen starvation, and quick action in response to this will be vital in minimising any brain damage caused.

What problems can occur when a baby is starved of oxygen at birth?

The impact of oxygen starvation during birth can be long-lasting, and remain with the child for the rest of their life. A study conducted in 2014 by the University of Cork demonstrated that even in mild cases of HIE, developmental delays can affect the child for several years; this can extend indefinitely for moderate or severe cases.

In their research, they found that around 1 in 5 of infants with mild HIE showed signs of learning or behavioural difficulties five years later, including speech delay, autism, attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and dyspraxia (reduced physical coordination). In more severe cases, the children displayed lower IQ scores, decreased processing speeds and poor memory.

A lack of oxygen at birth has been connected with the development of numerous long-term disabilities, including:

  • Cerebral Palsy
  • ADD/ADHD
  • Autism
  • Behavioural disorders
  • Seizures
  • Epilepsy
  • Blindness/impaired sight

It can be difficult to tell what the full effect of being starved of oxygen at birth has had on an infant until later life, and they have had an opportunity to undertake any available therapies and treatments.

This need to wait while the child develops in order to see what the long term effects are demonstrates why a case like the £22 million payout for a severely disabled girl in Chelmsford – who required round-the-clock care as a result of being starved of oxygen at birth – could not be settled until the girl reached 11 years old.

These cases also require a significant amount of research in order. This will include obtaining a number of expert reports from a number of professionals who will need to meet with the family.

We completely understand the extent of the investigation and analysis required to establish if oxygen starvation is the cause of your child’s disabilities and, if so, whether that oxygen starvation is as a result of negligence. The long-term impact that birth injuries can have cannot be understated, and while it is impossible to turn back the clock, compensation can go some way in funding the continued care required.

Making a claim for oxygen starvation

The overwhelming majority of births are handled in a safe and professional manner, which is credit to the typical responsiveness of healthcare professionals. But, in instances where this care is lacking, it can result in preventable damage that has long-term consequences for both baby and family.

If your child is affected by oxygen starvation that could have been avoided, we are there to help. As specialist medical negligence solicitors, we dedicate the time required to fully investigate your case, inform you of whether a claim would prove successful, and support you on the path to achieving the compensation you need to secure your future.

If you would like to learn more, please get in touch with our team today.

Disclaimer

All content contained within this article is meant for general information only – this should not be treated as a substitute for medical advice from your doctor or another healthcare provider. If you require legal advice specific to your situation, please contact our team directly.

Gadsby Wicks is not liable for any diagnosis made from the content of this article, nor does it endorse any service or external site linked to within the article.

Always consult your GP if you are concerned about your health and wellbeing, or speak to us if you require legal advice.