Perinatal asphyxia is the medical condition resulting from deprivation of oxygen to a newborn infant. It is also known as neonatal asphyxia or birth asphyxia. Hypoxic damage occurs to most of the infants organs such as heart, lungs, liver, gut, kidneys, but brain damage is of most concern. Symptoms of birth asphyxia may not be obvious, but the most common symptoms include: Before birth, abnormal fetal heart rate and low pH levels, indicating too much. acid At birth, poor skin color, low heart rate, weak muscle tone, gasping or weak breathing, and meconium stained amniotic fluid.