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LYDIA GRACE - UK
Born May 27, 2011 Late-onset Mother's GBS Status: Not tested Gestational Age: Full-term Age harmed: 3 weeks |
Lydia was 3 weeks old when we noticed she was holding her right leg up and wouldn't straighten it. It was late so we decided to check it again in the morning. In the morning it was no better so we took her to the doctor's and by the time she was examined she cried when her knee was touched. He didn't know what was wrong so sent us to A&E for an X-ray. This, fortunately, showed that her knee wasn't broken which led the doctors to believe that it must be some sort of infection. She was immediately placed on IV antibiotics and swabs were taken to ascertain what the infection might be. That night her leg was put in a splint and she began to go off her food and just slept.
We were moved to a different hospital overnight and next morning at 22 days of age she was put under general anaesthetic to have her knee drained. This operation was successful and after 21 days in hospital receiving IV antibiotics we were allowed to go home. I had to give her oral antibiotics every 6 hours for a further 3 weeks after this. She has recently had her 6 month check and it would appear that her knee is unharmed, but she has to have a further check in 6 months time. I will forever be grateful to the medical staff who so quickly got her on antibiotics but it seems ridiculous to me that, had I been tested and given antibiotics during labour, this horrendous situation could have been avoided. I know how lucky we are that Lydia appears to have made a complete recovery and my heart goes out to those who have not been so lucky.
— Janine Hoare, UK
Editor's Note: Once born, babies can become infected with GBS by sources other than the mother.
We were moved to a different hospital overnight and next morning at 22 days of age she was put under general anaesthetic to have her knee drained. This operation was successful and after 21 days in hospital receiving IV antibiotics we were allowed to go home. I had to give her oral antibiotics every 6 hours for a further 3 weeks after this. She has recently had her 6 month check and it would appear that her knee is unharmed, but she has to have a further check in 6 months time. I will forever be grateful to the medical staff who so quickly got her on antibiotics but it seems ridiculous to me that, had I been tested and given antibiotics during labour, this horrendous situation could have been avoided. I know how lucky we are that Lydia appears to have made a complete recovery and my heart goes out to those who have not been so lucky.
— Janine Hoare, UK
Editor's Note: Once born, babies can become infected with GBS by sources other than the mother.
To learn more about How to Help Protect Your Baby from Group B Strep (GBS), click HERE.
