29/01/2026
Survival is not the end of the story.
A baby who experiences birth asphyxia may appear stable at discharge, but the impact on development can unfold quietly over months or years.
In this case, early warning signs were present at birth. Follow-up did not happen. By age 2, the child was diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy.
This is why routine developmental follow-up matters for babies with birth asphyxia. Early therapy can reduce complications, support feeding and movement, and improve long-term function and independence.
Care works best when it is team-based. Pediatricians, nurses, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists all play a role in identifying delays early and supporting families before challenges become severe.
Reflection:
Could earlier therapy have changed this child’s outcome?