Mum Naomi writes, “Indigo was born perfectly healthy, only to become ill two weeks later on 17th September, and that morning my world got turned upside down. She showed no temperature or rash, it was through a lack of feeding and lethargy that I knew something wasn’t right.
I called the GP who said to either see them or go straight to A&E. At this point, I knew it was serious. We went to A&E and got admitted into A&E paediatrics. Blood tests were done which revealed her blood acidity was high and something wasn’t working correctly so we were referred to paediatrics. More blood tests for cultures, started on two lots of antibiotics and anti-viral meds. The nurse then said they needed to take her for a lumbar puncture, only to bring Indigo back covered in tubes and wires for feeding and oxygen. We were moved to the high dependency room for close monitoring.
Two days later we got told it was meningitis and sepsis caused by group B Strep. Her infection markers and white blood cell count were extremely high and I couldn’t help but fear the worst. We spent five days in hospital and two weeks after, back and forth for antibiotics. She has met all her milestones so far and is healthy. It’s safe to say this was probably one of the most terrifying times in my life, thinking I would lose my little girl. I had heard of group B Strep but didn’t realise how dangerous it could actually be. *A simple test is all it takes to help prevent early-onset GBS infection.
Without the information the GBSS team provided me with, I wouldn’t have known much. So thank you from both Indigo and myself.”
*IV antibiotics offered in labour are highly effective at helping to prevent early-onset GBS infections, which can occur from birth up to six days of life. There are currently no known ways of preventing late-onset GBS infections, which can occur from seven days and up to three months (although one day a vaccine should do this), so speedy identification of the signs of these infections and urgent escalation are vital for early diagnosis and treatment. A vaccine is currently in development.
