Question

After birth, a newborn may exhibit a small amount of foam coming out of the mouth, moaning, and be able to eat, sleep, and defecate normally after oxygen therapy. However, if oxygen therapy is stopped, purple discoloration appears on the lips and feet. What could be the cause of this newborn’s asphyxia?

Answer

Neonatal asphyxia can be caused by various factors, including:

  1. Maternal conditions with hypoxia, such as respiratory failure, cyanotic congenital heart disease, severe anemia, carbon monoxide poisoning, etc.
  2. Placental circulation disorders, commonly seen in conditions such as congestive heart failure, pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome, chronic nephritis, hemorrhage, shock, diabetes, and infectious diseases.
  3. Other factors, such as maternal drug use, smoking, or exposure to second-hand smoke, as well as pregnant women over 35 years old, under 16 years old, or carrying multiple pregnancies, who have a higher risk of fetal asphyxia. Understanding these causes can help in taking appropriate preventive and treatment measures to ensure the health of newborns.