Hospital Infections
Bacterial infections acquired during pregnancy, childbirth, or the neonatal/postpartum phase can be detrimental to both mother and child. In the uterus, a fetus is susceptible to bacterial infections that may travel through the placenta. Such infections can cause serious illness to the fetus. Early detection and administration of the appropriate antibiotic is vital in preventing serious, possibly permanent, harm.
Hospital Infections in Child and Mother
For nearly 40 years, Group B Streptococcus (GBS) has been the number one cause of critical infections in newborns. Because the bacteria can migrate to the vaginal canal, a newborn can contract an infection as natural consequence of childbirth.
White GBS is normally present in 15-40% of all women, the bacteria is usually localized to the intestinal tract. Although only 1-2% of infants will become infected during birth, the consequences can be severe. For this reason, routine testing should be done between the 35th and 37th week of pregnancy to detect the presence of Group B Streptococcus before the birth of the baby.
Doctors Must Screen Patients to Keep Infants Safe
If a positive result is returned, antibiotics must be administered during labor. Otherwise, the bacteria may cause one of many life-threatening illnesses, such as sepsis, meningitis, and pneumonia. Approximately one in six newborns with GBS infections do not survive while dozens of others are left physically or mentally handicapped. In addition, mothers may contract serious womb or bladder infections.
Pregnancy infections, such as those caused by GBS, are often the result of the failure of primary care physicians, obstetricians or hospital staff. Other infections that can be caused by medical negligence include:
- Listeria
- Hepatitis B
- HIV/AIDS
- Toxoplasmosis
- Herpes
Contact Us
If a physician fails in his or her responsibility to screen, recognize, or properly treat the bacteria, he or she may be held liable for the harm done to the mother, infant, or both. If you or your infant were seriously harmed because of an infection, it is important you contact our office for a free evaluation of your case. You may be eligible for compensation due to the medical caregiver’s negligence.
