New Born Baby

[smurfchops]

How long can a new born go without oxygen, before brain damage always occurs? And is there a Website with 'normal baby' brain scans on? Thanks all, sorry to be so morbid on New Years Day

[smurfchops]

Legend? Who or what is Legend ??

[Octavius]

Babies who are denied or deprived oxygen (hypoxia) as they are being born have a high chance of suffering brain damage as a result.

Oxygen can be cut off during birth by a kink in the umbilical cord or a problem getting oxygen from the mother.

Oxygen starvation leads to brain cells 'committing suicide' over the following three to four days. Brain damage does not occur immediately after hypoxia; instead a chemical cascade is triggered, with brain damage occurring hours or days afterwards.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/brain/episode1/index.h tml

[smurfchops]

I have heard that keeping the baby below body temperature for around three days after birth, can help significantly with brain damage caused during the birth ... if so, can it help 100% or would the baby still be brain damaged slightly ??

[Octavius]

Yes there was some research done in New Zealand, which showed results of a test - similar to applying a cold pack to a sprain etc. - where a 'cold cap' is placed on the new born baby's head. The cold cap is a cap filled with cold water which cools the brain from a normal temperature of around 37�C to 32�C.

Of course there are potential dangers with this (e.g. hypothermia) but clinical trials have shown that the procedure has the potential to slow down the 'suicidal' tendencies, or chemical processes, which can result in reduction in brain damage occurrences or a delay in the symptoms to permit further treatment.

With the inherent risks of the cold cap, it is difficult to say whether it is effective in all cases, let alone 100%. I have read of two success stories, wherein the babies survived, but it is mere speculation to say they definitely would not have survived if it were not for the cap. I guess the parents would see it as a miracle cure in any event. Perhaps there are more recent trials/research/evidence to view somewhere.

[smurfchops]

Interesting ! Time will tell . Thanks all.