Causes and risk factors During pregnancy: Complications like placental problems, maternal hypertension, or fetal growth restriction. During labor: Umbilical cord issues (e.g., compression, prolapse), prolonged labor, or meconium-stained amniotic fluid. After birth: Failure to initiate breathing, which can be due to various factors. Symptoms Low Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, indicating issues with heart rate, breathing, or muscle tone. Poor skin color. Weak muscle tone. Weak or gasping breathing. Low heart rate. Seizures, which can indicate brain injury. Diagnosis A doctor will assess the baby's condition immediately after birth using tools like the Apgar score. Other diagnostic tools include blood tests to check acid levels in umbilical cord blood, neurological exams to check reflexes and muscle tone, brain imaging (like MRI or ultrasound), and tests to check organ function. Treatment Immediate Resuscitation: The first step is to establish breathing through methods like drying, warming, and stimulating the baby, sometimes using a bag-and-mask device. Therapeutic Hypothermia: Cooling the baby's body for a period of time (around 72 hours) can help reduce brain damage. Other Treatments: Depending on the severity, other treatments can include high-frequency ventilation, inhaled nitric oxide, or Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) to provide life support and oxygen.