The world health organization (WHO) has defined birth asphyxia as"Failure to initiate and sustain breathing at birth" and based on Apgar score as an Apgar score of <7 at 1 minute.
The national neonatal perinatal database (NNPD) 2000,used a similar definition for perinatal asphyxia and defined "moderate asphyxia as slow gasping breathing or an Apgar score of 4_6 and severe asphyxia as no breathing or an apgar score of 0_3 at one minute of life"
(Signs of Birth Asphyxia)
. Gasping of weak breathing
. Increased acid in the blood
. Blue or pale skin color
. Weak or absent cry
. Low apgar score
. Weak muscle tone
. Low heart rate
. Poor reflexes
. No breathing
. Meconium
