Apgar scores and cord blood gas reflect the oxygenation state at the time around delivery and should be reviewed. The timeliness of response by a pediatrician should be noted in the nursery records. Red flags include a 5 minute apgar score below 7, a low cord pH, meconium or seizures in the newborn period. The American College of Ob Gyn has good technical bulletins which describe criteria to make the diagnosis of birth asphyxia. W hile many injuries occur during labor and delivery, many also occur in early intrauterine life and are unavoidable.
Careful scrutiny is needed before embarking on a malpractice action.