

Newborns are much more susceptible to infections and meningitis than adults or older children. This is due to their immature immune systems: their systems aren’t yet equipped to fight the bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that can cause infections.
As a result, babies born with infections may become very sick and require significant recovery time in the hospital. Most babies recover without significant long-term damage when the appropriate diagnosis and treatment is timely. A delay or misdiagnosis can mean serious and permanent mental and physical damage to the child and can even be fatal.
Babies can get infections from bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Viral infections include herpes simplex virus, chickenpox (varicella virus), Rubella virus and the hepatitis virus. Bacterial infections include Group B Streptococcus, Listeria, E. coli, and syphilis. Parasitic infections include toxoplasmosis, among numerous others.
If a baby is born with one of these infections, it is often due to a maternal infection for which the mother was not properly treated. This undetected maternal infection is transmitted to the fetus when the baby is being delivered.
Newborns that are infected will have a variety of symptoms. These may include inactivity, apnea, respiratory problems, decreased or elevated body temperature, poor feedings, irritability, odd skin color, low blood pressure, and seizures. Doctors will usually test fluid samples and run blood tests and cultures from the infant (and often the mother) to diagnose the infection. Treatment for most infections includes antibiotics or antiviral medications as well as supportive care (respiratory assistance, fluid replenishment, other medicines).
There can be severe consequences if infections in a newborn are not diagnosed and treated in a timely fashion. Infection can quickly spread, becoming a much more serious acute infection. When an infection spreads to multiple parts of the body, it is classified as a ‘generalized infection.’ An infection of the blood is called sepsis; infection that settles around the brain is meningitis; infection of the brain is called encephalitis; and infection of the lungs is pneumonia.
Neonatal infections require immediate care from doctors or other healthcare providers. Early identification is critical for a favorable outcome. If your child has sustained permanent physical or mental injuries as a result of a neonatal infection, call the birth injury attorneys at Reiter & Walsh ABC Law Centers. We can help determine if your doctor or healthcare provider was negligent in diagnosing and treating maternal or neonatal infection.
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