Babies at risk of dying from bacteria infection during pregnancy
- 08.03.2017
- EmmaArnold
- Clinical-negligence, Clinical-negligence
The number of babies being made ill by early onset group B streptococcus (GBS) has risen by 12% between 2011 and 2015.
GBS is usually mild but can be life threatening if contracted in the first week of a baby being born,
Figures from Public Health England found 518 newborn babies in the UK were made ill as a result of the bacteria. Dozens of whom were left with permanent disabilities and the illness caused 27 newborn deaths.
Although GBS is carried by an estimated one in four pregnant women, routine screenings are not automatically given during pregnancy.
The bacteria is passed from mother to baby but in the majority of cases the baby is protected if the mother is given intravenous antibiotics during labour.
Hannah Bottomley, medical negligence solicitor at PotterReesDolan, said:
The data found that there were often signs that were not being recognised by the medical professionals involved in the patient’s care and, ultimately, those missed signs contributed to death a short time later.
I am well aware of the difficulties faced by doctors treating those who have suffered heart attacks and unfortunately patients who suffer out of hospital heart attacks have lower rates of survival. However, I hope this recognition will lead to improvements in discharge services and hopefully increase these minor signs being recognised for the sinister symptoms they are and reduce the number of avoidable deaths in the future.
The BBC Radio 5 Live programme, which aired on Sunday, interviewed several mothers who argued there should be a mandatory test for GBS during pregnancy.
Mandatory testing is already in place in the USA and some European countries but the screening committee's last review found testing in late pregnancy is unreliable as they cannot distinguish between women whose babies will be affected and those who would not.
Therefore they believe this could lead to a high number of mothers and babies using antibiotics unneccessarily.
Hannah Bottomley is a clinical negligence solicitor with PotterReesDolan. Should you have any queries about clinical negligence issues or indeed any other aspect of this article and wish to speak to Hannah or any other member of the team please contact us on 0161 237 5888.