July is International Group B Strep Awareness Month
A common bacterium that affects adults and does not present with any symptoms or signs, Group B Streptococcus, also known as GBS or Strep B infection, is a bacterium which is carried naturally and harmlessly by one in five pregnant women.
Most pregnant women who carry group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacteria have healthy babies. However, there is a small risk that GBS can pass to the baby during childbirth. During pregnancy, labour and delivery the baby may come into contact with the bacteria and if it gets into the bloodstream it can cause serious complications such as:
- sepsis (blood poisoning)
- pneumonia (infection of the lung);
- or meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain).
- It may in rare cases cause miscarriage, premature labour, or stillbirth.
Strep B infections in babies can be very serious and should be treated immediately to prevent long term injuries such as brain damage, deafness, blindness, learning disabilities, or cerebral palsy.
If you think that you had a difficult or badly handled labour and delivery or you believe your child’s injuries from Group-B strep could have been prevented you may have a claim.
Contact us
If you would like to discuss making a claim for compensation as a result of problems during birth or pregnancy please call our Clinical and Medical Negligence lawyers on Freephone 0808 164 0808 for a FREE, no-obligation chat. Alternatively, you can complete the request a call back request a call back form and we will call you.
