Settlement For $457,000 After Physician Does Not Administer Antibiotics For Group B Streptococcus And Newborn Dies

If a infant contracts an infection from the group b strep bacteria there is a very substantial risk to the newborn's condition that results. It can even lead to the death of the baby. Newborns who live can develop life-long disabilities such as cerebral palsy. The infection may quickly develop into pneumonia, sepsis (an infection that advances throughout the body), and meningitis. As the bacteria could be transferred by a mother who carried the bacteria regardless if she was not symptomatic to her newborn during labor and delivery the majority of physicians concur that suitable antibiotics should be applied while in labor if certain conditions are met.

There are thus a number of situations which physicians take into account when figuring out whether there is an increased risk that the woman will transmit the bacteria to her baby. The mother was Group B Strep positive in a previous pregnancy. The mother was Group B Strep positive during the current pregnancy (asymptomatic expectant mothers are normally screened for Group B Strep during weeks 35 to 37 of the pregnancy). Among the factors that places an expectant mother at risk for Group B Streptococcus is when her membranes rupture in excess of 18 hours previous to labor. If a physician is advised of a known history or the existence of any of the risk factors yet does not administer antibiotics and the child later develops a Group B Streptococcus infection and endures severe injury because of this, the doctor might be liable for failing to meet the standard of care.

Consider the report of a claim involving a 19 year old woman who, in advance of reaching full term, was admitted to a hospital to deliver to her baby. The woman had experienced a membrane rupture n excess of 18 hours prior to entering labor. Her physician knew this. The doctor, nevertheless, did not provide appropriate antibiotics for group b strep. After birth, the newborn was not breathing. The staff resuscitated the child and subsequently concluded that the problem had been caused by a group b strep infection. The child died two days later from infection related complications. The mother pursued a claim and the law firm that represented her reported that after trial a jury awarded the mother $457,000 for her loss.

As this matter illustrates the failure to administer appropriate antibiotics during labor for a woman who suffered ruptured membranes more than 18 hours before could lead to the transmission of group b strep to her newborn. The results may be tragic. The infant may suffer permanent damage or, as in the case previously mentioned, may not survive. Not administering antibiotics during labor in a matter where there is a possibility that the mother may transmit the Group B Strep bacteria to her newborn may amount to medical negligence.