Although the warning signs start off mild, infections in newborns can become very dangerous, very quickly. Infections can cause a range of injuries that can cause permanent damage or death. Less serious cases may still leave the newborn with severe injuries that change their lives and their family’s.
There are a variety of symptoms related to infections in newborns, many of which are associated with multiple types of infections. Healthcare teams must be ready to anticipate, diagnose, and treat infections as soon as they notice signs that something may be wrong. The quicker staff can determine that a newborn is at risk for infection, the sooner they can begin treating the baby and identifying the specific infection.
Infections carry symptoms such as:
- Trouble breathing
- Excessive sleepiness
- Poor feeding or a weak suck
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Fever or low temperature
- Color changes
- Irritability
There are a few common ways infections develop in newborns, and because they’re known, medical staff must be alert to the window of opportunity to identify and treat infections before they get too severe.
During the pregnancy, staff may fail to follow steps designed to prevent Group B Streptococcal (GBS), including screening. If signs of GBS are noted, healthcare teams need to ensure that intrapartum antibiotics are administered to the mother when GBS is indicated.
At any point during or after birth, medical staff must identify, diagnose, and provide treatment in a timely manner. Delays in those steps or dismissing symptoms as “normal” conditions can cost the newborn valuable time in its ability to fight the infection.
Failure by the staff to closely monitor the newborn’s vital signs, oxygen, perfusion, and feeding may cause the team to miss signs of infection. Poor control of the infection or a delay in responding to it can allow it to get worse.
Staff may also administer the incorrect medication, the wrong dosage of the correct medication, or take too long to administer medications that fight infection, further complicating the issue.
While there is a wide range of infectious injuries a newborn can suffer, these are some of the most common and dangerous:
Brain Abscess — Although rare, a brain abscess is very dangerous because it is a pocket of pus in the brain. An abscess can cause seizures, developmental disabilities, neurological problems, and in severe cases, life-threatening brain swelling. A brain abscess is a complication of severe infections, such as meningitis or sepsis.
Group B Streptococcal (GBS) Infection — While GBS is a common bacterium that can live in the pregnant mother’s body, its symptoms don’t always present. GBS can cause severe illnesses such asmeningitis, pneumonia, and sepsis, all of which may cause brain injuries or long-term disability.
Neonatal Meningitis — Caused by an infection and inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, meningitis is a potentially fatal infection. In newborns, meningitis may present as sepsis, but symptoms may also include seizures or a soft spot on the top of the newborn’s head.
Meningitis can cause long-term hearing loss, developmental delays, seizures, and in extreme cases, death.
Neonatal Pneumonia — An infection of the lungs, pneumonia makes it difficult for the newborn to breathe, often requiring a ventilator. If oxygen levels get too low, the baby can develop a hypoxic brain injury, which carries serious consequences. Pneumonia can also trigger sepsis or be fatal.
Neonatal Sepsis — An infection in the bloodstream, sepsis can quickly cause the newborn to experience shock or organ failure. Sepsis can cause injury to multiple organs, brain damage, seizures, and death. The non-fatal injuries may cause permanent damage to the newborn or impact their development.
Sepsis-associated Encephalopathy — This causes the brain not to function properly due to sepsis, but does not involve the direct infection of the brain or spinal fluid. It can cause severe inflammation, leading to problems with blood flow or oxygen delivery. Those issues can then cause long-lasting brain injury or developmental concerns.
Infectious injuries are among the most serious a newborn can experience because they can be very difficult to pinpoint. With so many infections sharing symptoms, it’s crucial that healthcare staff take every step necessary to be prepared to quickly diagnose the actual infection. Proper monitoring of the situation and accurate testing must be conducted to prevent an infection from worsening.
Serious injuries demand serious representation. With over 50 years of experience in courtrooms across Florida, the team at Weisser Law has the reputation and record you need to secure every dollar of compensation you deserve. Weisser Law, where exceptional experience means exceptional results.