Baltimore Group B Strep Infections Attorneys

Nationally Recognized Baltimore Birth Injury Attorneys

Nearly 25% of all healthy women test positive for Group B Strep Infection (GBS); however, only about one in every 2,000 babies contract it from their mothers.

With proper treatment and antibiotics, this condition can have little to no impact on the mother or child during pregnancy and delivery. But if proper treatment is not provided, GBS can become a dangerous, life-threatening disease for your child. If you believe that you or your child may have been injured due to improper diagnosis and treatment of Group B Strep, you may wish to speak with a skilled and caring Baltimore birth injury attorney. Call our Baltimore office at 410.951.8744 for a free case evaluation.

Causes & Consequences of Group B Strep Infections

The bacterial infection for Group B Strep is usually found in a woman’s rectum or vagina. A recommended routine screening is performed between the 35th and 37th week of pregnancy in order to most accurately predict the presence of GBS at birth. Just because a mother tests positive for GBS doesn’t mean that the baby will be affected by GBS after delivery. Precautions, such as putting the mother on antibiotics, can be taken to prevent the baby from contracting GBS. GBS in newborns may be caused by:

GBS in newborns may be caused by:

  • Premature birth
  • GBS in the mother
  • Fever or urinary tract infection
  • Early water breakage
  • If these occurrences are not properly treated, newborns may experience harsh symptoms from GBS, including:
  • Sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Unstable blood pressure
  • Gastrointestinal and kidney issues

Though these symptoms may occur later down the road, most GBS cases are noticeable soon after the birth.

baby

Protect Your Baby from Group B Strep Infections

If you have been diagnosed with GBS, talk to your medical provider about the steps they will take to prevent your baby from contracting the disease. Many times, antibiotics are given through IV during the delivery to protect your baby. These usually begin once labor starts, and are administered every four hours thereafter until the infant is born.

Speak With Baltimore Birth Injury Lawyers

If your physician failed to follow proper procedure in treating you or your infant for GBS or was delayed in providing appropriate treatment, you may be eligible to pursue compensation. At Murphy Falcon & Murphy, our Baltimore birth injury attorneys are dedicated to fighting for your rights and just compensation. Call 410.951.8744 today for a free consultation.