Group B Strep & Bacterial Meningitis
Birth Injury Lawyers Serving Dallas and North Texas
Bacterial meningitis is an illness caused by bacteria that produces an infection in the fluid of the brain and spinal cord. It is extremely serious and must be treated as soon as possible with antibiotics. If it is not treated, it can result in brain damage or even death.
Sadly, mothers can spread bacterial meningitis to their newborn. This is the result of the presence of group B streptococcus (GBS), a type of bacteria getting into the bloodstream, which is then spread to the birth canal during the child’s delivery. What is worrying is that the mother does not need to have any of the symptoms of bacterial meningitis in order to infect her baby.
However, there are three main types of bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis. These are:
- Neisseria meningitidis
- Haemophilus influenza type b
- Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria
Group B Streptococcus
Group B streptococcus is present in about a quarter of all adult women. It is commonly found in the rectum and vagina. Simply having GBS does not mean you will become ill, but that you are colonized. Also, not every mother who has GBS will necessarily pass it on to her child. GBS affects one in every 2000 babies whose mothers are carriers. Many babies who are infected may get sepsis or pneumonia instead of meningitis.
Because of the dangers of GBS to your newborn, your doctor should perform a prenatal exam on you when you are 35 to 37 weeks into your pregnancy. This is done through a swab. If you are found to be a carrier of GBS, you will be given an antibiotic to reduce the chances that your child will become infected.
Symptoms of meningitis in your infant include:
- Fever
- Trouble breathing
- Trouble eating
- Light sensitivity
- Stiff neck
- Irritability
- Excessive sleepiness
- Seizures
Although your doctor should test you for GBS and treat you for its presence, a failure to diagnose bacterial meningitis in your child may constitute medical malpractice. Since your child may suffer brain damage or die as a result of this infection, any failure on the part of a healthcare provider to diagnose or test for bacterial meningitis is serious.
Polewski & Associates Birth Injury Attorneys Can Help
If you believe your child developed bacterial meningitis due to medical negligence, the Dallas birth injury lawyers at Polewski & Associates can help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Our birth injury attorneys have more than 25 years of experience handling these complex cases, and we understand the medical issues involved.
Your case will be personally handled by a board certified personal injury law specialist, and it will be analyzed by an injury lawyer who is also a licensed medical doctor. Very few Dallas law firms can offer you this level of specialization, and our attorneys are confident that it will provide you the edge you need when battling the high powered legal teams employed by insurance companies. Our attorneys will not stop fighting until you receive the compensation you deserve.
Please contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation. Polewski & Associates serves clients in Dallas and throughout North Texas.
