Group B Strep is the UK’s commonest cause of life-threatening infections in newborn babies, causing sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis.
It’s estimated that around 800 babies each year develop a group B Strep infection in the UK, based on research from 2014/5. That’s more than two a day. Every week one baby tragically dies, and another recovers with lifelong disability.
But, because the NHS doesn’t count them properly, we don’t know exactly how many babies get group B Strep infection now.
Research has suggested that as many as a fifth of group B Strep infections in babies simply don’t get reported centrally, meaning families’ heartbreaking experiences aren’t counted.
Baby Bowen Heritage (pictured above) was born healthy in December 2023. When he was three weeks old his parents had an overwhelming feeling something was wrong and took him to A&E.
Bowen took a turn for the worse, stopped breathing four times, and was moved to intensive care once he’d stabilised. He was later diagnosed as having developed group B Strep sepsis.
Bowen’s Dad David told us “We will never forget the words after asking: ‘Is he going to die?’ No parent wants to hear: ‘Your son is critically ill, but he’s in the right place.‘”
Thankfully, Bowen’s condition improved and he’s now a happy healthy 6-month old. We believe every family’s experience of group B Strep should be counted.
The new Government must commit to counting ALL group B Strep infections. Add your name and show your support.
