Can low oxygen at birth cause developmental delays? Yes, low oxygen levels during birth, often called hypoxia or part of a condition known as Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), can damage a baby’s brain and lead to developmental delays. This happens when the brain does not get enough oxygen and blood flow right before, during, or just after birth, killing brain cells and affecting growth.[4][5]
HIE is one of the main ways low oxygen hurts newborns. It can cause problems like trouble breathing at birth, low muscle tone, seizures in the first day or two, and feeding issues. Over time, these can turn into bigger challenges, such as delays in learning to sit up, walk, or talk, and even conditions like cerebral palsy or cognitive issues.[4][5][7] For example, a baby might seem fine at first but later struggle with rolling over or holding their head up by four months, which are signs of hidden brain damage from oxygen loss.[2]
Certain birth problems raise the risk of low oxygen. These include the umbilical cord getting tangled or compressed, the placenta pulling away too soon (placental abruption), long labors, or infections in mom or baby. If doctors miss these signs or delay help, like resuscitation right after birth, the damage can worsen.[4][5] Blood tests from right after birth, like low oxygen levels in the blood, or low Apgar scores, can show if this happened.[2]
Studies also link low oxygen and early birth issues to changes in the brain. Babies with low birth weight or born too early often have smaller areas of the brain surface, which ties to delays later in childhood. Pregnancy complications add to this risk, changing how the brain develops in areas for movement and thinking.[1]
Not every case of low oxygen leads to delays. Mild ones might cause only short-term issues, while severe HIE brings lifelong needs. Doctors use scans like MRI and watch milestones to spot problems early. Quick cooling treatments after birth can sometimes limit harm.[5]
Parents might notice delays months later, like a stiff or floppy body, or one-sided movement when reaching for toys. Checking medical records from birth, including nursing notes and lab results, helps figure out what went wrong.[2]
Sources
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2422281122
https://pediatricmalpracticeguide.com/steps-to-take-if-a-birth-injury-was-discovered-months-later/
https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/157/1/e2025074766/205238/Neonatal-Life-Support-2025-International-Liaison
https://www.mannarinoandbrasfield.com/blog/what-is-hypoxic-ischemic-encephalopathy
https://www.cuminggillespie.com/blog/medical-malpractice/faqs-about-hypoxic-ischemic-encephalopathy-hie/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12701515/
https://clinicaltrials.eu/disease/hypoxic-ischaemic-encephalopathy/hypoxic-ischaemic-encephalopathy-life-with-disease/
