Group B Strep
If in doubt, check it out!
Don’t be afraid to raise concerns about your baby if they develop any signs of Group B Strep – and if the worst does happen, support is available, says Emma Doughty, Head of Clinical Negligence at Slater and Gordon
Group B Strep is a term many expectant and new parents may have heard, although thankfully is not something that will affect the vast majority of new families.
But as a condition that affects one in 1,000 babies, and which can prove fatal to 1 in 20 of those who develop Group B Strep infection, it is something that all new parents must be vigilant about, particularly in the first few days after birth.
Group B Strep, the most common cause of severe infection in newborns, occurs most often in babies shortly before, during or immediately after birth. After the first six days, the infection then becomes much less common and after the first 12 weeks, becomes very rare.
However, the signs of Group B Strep infection are rightly recognised as a medical emergency and new parents must not wait and wonder whether it might be nothing. Far better to seek medical attention and have your fears allayed, than to regret not doing so earlier.
Never be afraid to speak up, or to worry about being an ‘over cautious new parent’ or an ‘inconvenience’. Your new baby is precious to you. Healthcare professionals will understand this and support you in ensuring they are given the care and attention they deserve, particularly in such potentially urgent circumstances.
Symptoms
Group B Strep can cause life-threatening sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis, all of which can develop rapidly, so it is vital that any early warnings are acted upon.
Symptoms to look out for include:
- Grunting, noisy breathing, moaning, difficulty breathing
- Being very sleepy and/or unresponsive
- Inconsolable crying
- Being unusually floppy
- Not feeding well or not keeping milk down
- Having a high or low temperature and being hot or cold to the touch
- Having changes in their skin colour (including blotchy skin)
- Having an unusually fast or slow heart rate or breathing rate
- Having low blood pressure (identified by tests done in hospital)
- Having low blood sugar (identified by tests done in hospital)
In those first few days, parents may of course feel overwhelmed by the enormity of having a baby and trying to adapt to their new routine, but acting immediately on any symptoms like those mentioned above is critically important.
Coping with a Group B Strep diagnosis
If your baby has developed a Group B Strep infection, it will be a very worrying and traumatic time for you. The uncertainty and confusion, and not to mention fear and anxiety over what may lie ahead, are completely understandable.
However, it is important to remember that the vast majority of babies who have Group B Strep infection recover, and seeking urgent medical attention at the first sign of any fears is the best thing you can do. In most cases, despite the huge worry you will no doubt experience at knowing your baby has contracted a serious infection, there will be no ongoing complications.
For many parents, it is important to understand what has happened, and to speak with healthcare professionals about the treatment provided. Many parents want to know if anything could have been done differently, whether testing for Group B Strep had been done during pregnancy and whether antibiotics were given during labour. NHS professionals have a duty of candour, which means they should always disclose what happened and whether anything went wrong or whether any errors were made.
An independent review can be sought if there are still questions, and support from lawyers can also assist in instances where parents feel they have not got to the bottom of their traumatic experience.
When ongoing care is needed
Around one in ten babies who survive Group B Strep infection will be left with long-term health problems. Sometimes, these may be immediately obvious, but probably more often, the signs may not be noticeable straight away, and may only present once the baby grows into a child.
A child with disabilities of any kind will need support, and healthcare professionals can help ensure they can access the right interventions for the unique situation they and their family finds themselves in.
NHS continuing funding may be available, and an assessment from local Children’s Services may also enable you to access additional support. Charities such as Group B Strep Support can prove invaluable to families whose children are living with the consequences of Group B Strep infection. In addition to the information and signposting that is available, there may also be opportunities to meet other families who face similar challenges to you, and who can empathise with your situation. This can be very important.
In cases where something has gone wrong, and mistakes have been made that result in babies developing Group B Strep infection unnecessarily, or not being identified or treated promptly enough, specialist lawyers can assist. In addition to helping to find the answers parents need and deserve, a legal claim may also enable a family to access rehabilitation and care which may otherwise be unaffordable. A claim for compensation could also pay for any adaptations to the family home or a child’s routine that can help them enjoy the best quality of life possible.
Support will be there in whatever form you need. Remember you are not alone and specialists will be on hand to help you.
If you or your baby has been affected by Group B Strep infection and you believe that the care/treatment you received from your medical professionals may have been substandard, please contact Emma Doughty, Emma.Doughty@slatergordon.uk, a medical negligence expert with a special interest in GBS cases and who sits on the GBSS expert Legal expert Panel.
