Anoxia is a medical condition that can cause serious complications. This article defines the term “anoxia” and explains how it relates to birth injury. 

Key Takeaways

• Anoxia is a loss of oxygen to the body or brain
• Anoxia can cause parts of the body to stop functioning and can be harmful or even deadly
• The brain is particularly vulnerable to anoxia and can only go 4 - 5 minutes without oxygen before it suffers permanent damage
• Symptoms of anoxia include weakness, memory loss, headaches, and more
• Types of anoxia include anemic anoxia, toxic anoxia, stagnant anoxia, and anoxic anoxia
• Anoxia can happen to babies during childbirth and lead to permanent disabilities such as cerebral palsy
• When healthcare professionals fail to properly respond to and treat anoxia, it may be considered medical malpractice

What Is Anoxia?

Anoxia is a loss of oxygen supply to the body or brain, usually resulting from hypoxia. Hypoxia is low levels of oxygen in the body’s tissues and can happen for a number of reasons including:

• Significant blood loss
• Injuries like near-drowning or choking
• Low blood flow to organs caused by a stroke or heart problem
• Low oxygen at high altitudes
• Breathing difficulties like asthma or pneumonia
• Carbon monoxide and other poisonings

Anoxia can cause parts of the body to stop functioning properly, including the brain, heart, kidneys, and bodily tissues. It can be harmful or even deadly without treatment. 

The brain is particularly vulnerable to hypoxia, as it can only go four to five minutes without oxygen before brain cells die and the brain becomes permanently damaged. The longer the brain goes without oxygen, the higher the likelihood of long-term complications and death. 

Symptoms of Anoxia

Symptoms of anoxia include:

• Slurred speech or forgotten words
• Changes in judgment
• Trouble concentrating
• Weakness
• Memory loss
• Unusual headaches
• Trouble walking
• Trouble moving the arms or legs normally
• Feeling dizzy or disoriented
• Mood and personality changes

After the brain has been without oxygen for four to five minutes, one may also experience seizures, hallucinations, and sudden loss of consciousness. 

Types of Anoxia

Types of anoxia include:

• Anemic anoxia - This type of anoxia occurs when the blood can’t carry enough oxygen around the body to keep the organs functioning properly

• Toxic anoxia - This type of anoxia occurs when one takes in toxins or other chemicals, preventing the blood from effectively carrying oxygen throughout the body

• Stagnant anoxia - Also known as hypoxicischemic injury, this type of anoxia occurs when the blood doesn’t reach the brain or other body parts that need it

• Anoxic anoxia - This type of anoxia occurs when there’s not enough oxygen available to the body

Anoxia and Birth Injury Law

Anoxia can happen to babies during childbirth due to complications such as the umbilical cord being wrapped around the baby’s neck. This can cause brain damage that may lead to permanent disabilities such as cerebral palsy. This is not always a result of negligence on the part of healthcare professionals, but it can be sometimes. 

Any of the following may indicate medical malpractice:

• Failure to promptly and appropriately respond to signs of fetal distress
• Failure to provide the proper treatment for anoxia
• Mismanagement of an issue involving umbilical cord placement or fetal placement

If your baby experienced birth complications due to your medical team’s failure to properly respond to or treat anoxia, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. It is recommended that you speak to an experienced birth injury lawyer who will be able to help you navigate your legal case.