Abstract

DEVELOPMENT DELAY AND SEIZURES DUE TO BIRTH ASPHYXIA IN A PAEDIATRIC PATIENT: A CASE REPORT

Kazia Sunny*, Nina Joseph, Joziya K. J., Salabha Ann Mathew, S. Hemalatha and T. Sivakumar

ABSTRACT

Birth asphyxia occurs when a baby does not receive enough oxygen before, during or just after birth. It can be due to inadequate oxygen levels in the mother's blood to or due to lowered respirations caused by anesthesia or inadequate relaxation of the uterus during labor that prevents oxygen circulation to the placenta. Birth asphyxia often results in short term and long term complications like seizures, cerebral palsy and development delays and in certain cases resulting in morbidity and mortality. Seizure disorders may arise due to the lack of oxygen and other complications associated therewith. Similarly, development delay is the condition when a child is unable to meet the developmental milestones at expected times. Delays can occur in areas such as motor, language, social or thinking skills. Recent reports show that birth asphyxia is a major cause for neonatal seizures, delayed developmental milestones and related complications.

Keywords: Birth asphyxia, Development delay, Seizures, Delayed Milestones.