Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies in the UK. Around 1 in 4 women carry GBS in their gut or vagina without symptoms. When GBS is passed to a baby during labour, the baby can develop early-onset GBS infection — causing sepsis, meningitis, pneumonia, and brain damage — often within hours of birth. Preventive intrapartum antibiotics, given to high-risk mothers during labour, dramatically reduce the risk of neonatal GBS infection. When clinicians fail to identify GBS risk, fail to communicate positive test results, or fail to administer appropriate antibiotics during labour, and a baby is harmed as a result, a clinical negligence claim may be available.
How is GBS risk identified?
GBS is detected by a swab from the vagina and rectum. In the UK, routine antenatal screening for GBS is not universal — unlike in many other countries. However, GBS may be identified incidentally during:
- A urine culture — GBS bacteriuria in pregnancy is an indication for intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis
- A vaginal swab taken for another reason
- A private GBS test
RCOG guidance (Scientific Paper No. 36) identifies risk factors that indicate intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) should be offered:
- Known GBS carriage in the current pregnancy
- Previous baby affected by GBS disease
- GBS bacteriuria in the current pregnancy
- Intrapartum fever above 38°C
- Prolonged rupture of membranes (> 18 hours)
- Preterm labour (< 37 weeks)
Common negligence scenarios in GBS claims
Failure to communicate GBS test result to the maternity team
A positive GBS swab result is documented in the antenatal records but is not highlighted to the obstetric team or the labouring mother. IAP is not given. The baby is born and develops early-onset GBS sepsis.
Failure to act on GBS bacteriuria
A urine culture during pregnancy grows GBS. The result is reviewed but no recommendation is made for IAP at delivery. The maternity team is not informed.
Failure to offer IAP for risk factors
A woman in preterm labour, or with prolonged rupture of membranes, is not offered IAP despite meeting the RCOG risk criteria. The baby develops GBS infection.
Delayed recognition and treatment of neonatal GBS infection
A neonate presents with signs of early infection — poor feeding, temperature instability, grunting, reduced tone — but GBS infection is not suspected and antibiotics are not commenced promptly.
Harm from neonatal GBS infection
- Neonatal sepsis — life-threatening within hours
- Meningitis — causing brain damage, hearing loss, and neurodevelopmental disability
- Pneumonia — respiratory failure
- Death
- Long-term disability in survivors of GBS meningitis
SCRIPT 66 — Diabetes Medical Negligence Claims
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim if I tested positive for GBS but was not given antibiotics during labour?
Yes — if the failure to administer intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis fell below the required standard and the baby developed GBS infection as a result.
Can I claim if my baby had GBS meningitis after a normal delivery?
Yes — if a risk factor for GBS was present and IAP was not offered, and the baby developed GBS disease that prophylaxis would have prevented.