Doctors must act **immediately and without delay** in cases of birth asphyxia, as every second counts to prevent severe brain injury or death. Birth asphyxia occurs when a newborn is deprived of oxygen during the birth process, leading to hypoxia (low oxygen) and ischemia (reduced blood flow), which can cause irreversible brain damage if not treated promptly.
The critical window for intervention is within the **first few minutes after birth**. If a baby does not start breathing spontaneously or shows signs of distress such as poor muscle tone, weak reflexes, bluish skin color, or seizures, medical staff must begin resuscitation efforts right away. This includes clearing the airway, providing positive pressure ventilation, and if necessary, advanced measures like intubation and medication administration. Delays beyond even a few minutes can significantly increase the risk of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a serious brain injury caused by oxygen deprivation.
Once birth asphyxia is suspected or confirmed, the newborn should be stabilized and assessed rapidly. If HIE is diagnosed or strongly suspected, **therapeutic hypothermia (cooling therapy)** should be initiated within the first 6 hours of life. This treatment involves cooling the baby’s body temperature to around 32 degrees Celsius for about 72 hours to slow brain metabolism and reduce further injury. The sooner this therapy begins, the better the chances of minimizing long-term neurological damage.
The urgency is underscored by the fact that brain cells begin to die within minutes of oxygen deprivation. Immediate action by skilled birth attendants can often reverse or reduce the damage. Programs like Helping Babies Breathe train healthcare workers worldwide to recognize and respond to birth asphyxia swiftly, improving survival rates and outcomes.
In summary, the speed of response in birth asphyxia cases is measured in minutes. The first breaths and interventions must happen almost instantly after birth to prevent permanent brain injury or death. Medical teams must be prepared to act decisively and efficiently, using established protocols for neonatal resuscitation and therapeutic hypothermia without hesitation.