When a baby is diagnosed with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), many parents are left with questions about how it happened and whether it could have been prevented. One important piece of this puzzle is umbilical cord blood gas analysis. This test provides critical insights into your baby’s oxygen levels during labor and delivery, helping to determine if medical negligence may have played a role in their injury.
What Is Umbilical Cord Blood Gas Analysis?
Umbilical cord blood gas analysis is a test performed after delivery, using blood taken from the umbilical cord. The test measures pH levels, base excess, and other indicators to assess whether your baby was getting enough oxygen during labor. These results can reveal whether an acidotic event occurred, which is often linked to oxygen deprivation—a key cause of HIE.
For example, a normal pH for umbilical cord blood is typically above 7.2, though some medical sources may use slightly different thresholds. A pH below 7.0 suggests severe acidosis, indicating significant oxygen deprivation. Similarly, a base excess greater than -12 supports evidence of an acidotic event.
The Link Between Umbilical Cord Blood And Your Baby’s HIE Injury
Analyzing these numbers can help pinpoint whether warning signs of fetal distress were present during labor but not acted upon in time. For instance, if the umbilical cord blood shows a dangerously low pH, this could indicate that delays in performing an emergency C-section contributed to your baby’s HIE injury. The link between umbilical cord blood and your baby’s HIE injury lies in understanding these results to determine whether the medical team followed the standard of care.
What This Means for Families
Understanding the connection between umbilical cord gas results and HIE helps families get answers about what happened during labor and delivery. If you’ve seen test results in your baby’s records but don’t know what they mean, you’re not alone. The link between umbilical cord blood and your baby’s HIE injury is often the first step toward uncovering the truth and seeking justice for your child.
By reviewing these results with legal and medical experts, families can begin to find clarity and explore their options for accountability. To speak with me further about your baby’s HIE brain injury at birth you can contact me at my info below.
Marcus B. Boston, Esq.
9701 Apollo Dr. Suite 100
Largo, Maryland 20774
301-850-4832
1-833-4 BABY HELP
