It is a lack of oxygen that can occur during the labor and delivery of a newborn baby. If a baby is deprived of oxygen for a period of time it can affect the baby's metabolism and can also cause brain injury.
Acidosis refers to the amount of acid buildup in the blood. Our blood transports oxygen to every part of our body. If there is an excessive amount of acid buildup in the blood, it may mean less oxygen available for our brain.
This scenario can also occur during surgery when general anesthesia is administered. If there are errors made with regard to the amount of oxygen being provided during surgery, there can be acid buildup that can lead to significant metabolic injury and resulting brain damage.
To learn what hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is and what it means for your baby, I invite you to watch the quick video below...
