Group B Strep Can Result In Meningitis In Infants

Group B Strep is the most frequent cause of sepsis and meningitis (a significant infection of the fluid of the spinal cord and the fluid surrounding the brain) in newborns. As a bacterial infection, group b strep can attack an infant if it is passed to the child from the mother during the birth process

The bacteria commonly takes hold in the vagina and/or the lower intestine. It is found in about 1 out of every 4 adult women. However, it does not typically cause an active infection or result in symptoms. Transmission from expecting mother to the baby typically transpires in the course of labor and delivery. The baby could be exposed to GBS, such as, if the bacteria moves upward from the mother's vagina into the uterus after the membranes (bag of water) break. The baby may likewise come in contact with GBS when passing down through the birth canal. During this period, the newborn can swallow or inhale the bacteria.

Around 75% of cases of Group b strep in infants happen in the first week of life, and most show up after only a few hours following birth. This is known as "early onset" group b strep. The others develop a GBS infection from one week to several months after the child is born. This is known as as "late onset" group b strep. Statistically, roughly 50% of cases of late onset can be related to the child's mother having been colonized with the bacteria. In the remaining cases of late onset, the source of the infection is unknown.

After the baby comes into contact with the bacteria, it may travel to the infant's bloodstream. This can bring about sepsis (overwhelming infection all through the body), pneumonia, or meningitis. They are all dangerous conditions that may advance quickly and leave the baby with permanent disabilities or may even result in the newborn's death. Among the typical possible disabilities are: brain damage, cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness, and seizures.

The most common symptoms of meningitis include: a high temperature, lethargy, unusual irritability, trouble feeding, stiffness, vomiting, and rashes. Given that the infection can advance rapidly quick treatment is needed to avoid serious injury to the child. For bacterial based meningitis (such as that caused by Group B Strep), treatment requires the immediate use of intravenous IV and antibiotics. A diagnosis of meningitis is established by taking a sample of spinal fluid from a spinal tap and culturing the bacteria for correct identification. This is important in order to determine the appropriate antibiotic to be administered. The outcome of the test might take a few hours. In the time it takes for the results, the infection can bring about lasting injury or kill the baby. Because of the urgency required, treatment usually starts ahead of a verified diagnosis if meningitis is a possible explanation for the baby's symptoms. Penicillin is the most broadly used treatment.

If a baby passed away or endures from lasting disabilities that were preventable aside from the failure on the part of a doctor to diagnose GBS meningitis or to give immediate treatment that physician may be liable for malpractice. The mothers and fathers of children so harmed by GBS meningitis need to contact a lawyer experienced in birth injury claims without delay because the law allows only a limited amount of time to go forward with a birth injury claim.