Group B Streptococcus in a birth injury compensation case

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common bacterium that can cause complication during childbirth. It is estimated that a quarter of pregnant women in the UK carry the bacteria without any harmful effects, and the majority of babies who are exposed to the bacteria also suffer no illness. However, it is sadly true that there are cases of serious illness, including some where the parents may be able to seek birth injury compensation.

Signs of risk
The tests available to predict whether a mother-to-be will be carrying GBS at the birth are not wholly reliable, as GBS can come and go from the body, and even when present is not always picked up by the tests. For this reason, they are not frequently offered on the NHS. However, a positive result a few weeks before delivery is a good sign that the potential for GBS infection of the baby is a possibility.

If this, or any other warning sign, suggests that GBS may be a risk, intravenous antibiotics may be offered to the mother throughout the delivery.

Even when the risk of GBS is present, most babies are born healthy. Those few who do develop GBS disease tend to show symptoms including grunting, drowsiness and poor feeding; most of these can be helped by hospital care.

Late-onset GBS disease, which is rarer than early-onset, develops as meningitis with septicaemia. An early diagnosis is very important in this condition, which may also have symptoms including turning away from lights, whimpering and a dislike of being handled. Again, most babies survive this condition, although some may be left with long-term issues as a result.

Further information on GBS is available from Group B Strep Support.

GBS in a birth injury compensation case
In most cases, the medical staff supporting a birth will be attentive to warning signs and do everything in their power to cure a GBS infection when it occurs. Where, however, signs of risk have been ignored, dismissed or simply not looked for, there may be a charge of negligence that could be made.

If you find you have received negligent treatment leading to a birth injury to either you or your child, YouClaim can help you seek compensation for loss or for expenses that the injury will cause in the future.

YouClaim will not charge you for this service; rather we will offer sensitive legal support at this difficult time, put you in touch with a personal injury solicitor, and assist you throughout the case. Our 100% compensation promise also means that we do not take any cut of the damages awarded in a successful case.

To discuss your situation in confidence, call our advisors on 0800 10 757 95, use our online e-chat facility, or complete a claim form. A member of our medical law team will be able to talk about your case, in plain English, with consideration for your feelings, and help you make your decision about pursuing birth injury compensation.