Case Alleges Newborn Severely Harmed When Physician Did Not Timely Identify Gbs Infection

If a baby with a GBS infection is not treated or improperly treated the newborn can be left with lifelong devastating injuries

. A Group B Strep infection in a baby can develop into pneumonia, sepsis, or meningitis. Given a baby's undeveloped immune system this can produce such permanent disabilities as cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, brain damage, cognitive and motor retardation, or even to death. In the remainder of this article, we review a lawsuit that resulted after a newborn who showed symptoms of a Group B Strep infection was not diagnosed in a timely fashion by the doctor.

Consider a published malpractice claim where antibiotics for GBS were intravenously given to a pregnant woman during labor. This is standard protocol for women who were carriers during the pregnancy, a prior pregnancy, or if screened during weeks thirty-fifth through thirty-seven of the current pregnancy. Nevertheless, even with this prophylactic use of antibiotics while the mother was in labor, it is still possible for the baby to acquire GBS. The pregnant woman in this case took her newborn to a pediatrician six weeks after the child's birth. The doctor noted that the baby presented with a high fever. Unfortunately, the physician did not check the prenatal records and therefore did not recognize that the infant had previously been exposed to the bacteria.

Not having seen the prenatal records the doctor merely ordered testing in order to establish what was causing the infant's high fever. As the pediatrician waited for the results of the tests she ordered. She failed to, however, give antibiotics for a group b streptococcus infection. The newborn developed meningitis. The newborn in addition experienced a series of strokes. Due to this fact the baby was left with an untreatable seizure disorder as well as mental retardation.

The mother sued the physician for failing to diagnose the Group B Strep infection and administer treatment in a timely fashion. As the claim progressed the pediatrician stated that she would not have delayed giving antibiotics if she had known about the mother's exposure to the bacteria during the pregnancy. The law firm that handled the matter reported that the pediatrician settled the lawsuit for $6.15 Million.

When there is a possibility that symptoms could be due to a dangerous underlying condition, including a group b streptococcus infection, which can result in long lasting disabilities for the baby if not treated immediately a doctor is expected to take them into account as a possibility except if the physician is able to establish a different cause If the doctor does not consider a Group B Strep infection in the differential diagnosis thereby delaying treatment with ensuing tragic consequences the doctor may be liable for malpractice and recover for the injuries suffered by the child to safeguard the baby's future such as by covering future medical costs and inability to earn a living (if the child's disability will prohibit the child from ever being gainfully employed)

by: Joseph Hernandez

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