NHS Resolution: Learning from claims related to early onset Group B Streptococcal disease in neonates

Summary

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the leading cause of serious bacterial infection in the first few weeks of life and is a major global cause of neonatal meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia.

This report examines clinical negligence claims related to early onset GBS disease in neonates. The analysis reviewed 19 closed claims notified between January 2016 and March 2023, of which 11 were settled with damages paid. The total cost of these closed claims was £1,430,894, including claimant legal costs, NHS legal costs and damages. The report makes practical recommendations for maternity and neonatal services, including improved triage systems, robust processes for tracking and communicating test results, and enhanced staff training in recognising signs of sepsis.

Content

Did you know?

• Most babies in this group were symptomatic within the first 24 hours of life.
• Most babies in this cohort presented as being unwell at the time of birth or with early jaundice or poor feeding.
• 79% of infants required a prolonged inpatient admission, with the mean stay being 6.6 days and the maximum being 21 days.
• Across all these claims, this included days on neonatal units (NICUs), paediatric intensive care units (PICUs), postnatal wards and paediatric wards.
• Only 25% of babies in this group received antibiotics within the nationally recognised 1-hour target.
• In this group of babies with early onset GBS disease, the proportion of mothers known to be colonised during pregnancy, found to be colonised during or after the delivery, and not known to be carrying GBS at all were almost equal (i.e. around a third in each of these categories).

Further reading on the hub

• Top picks: 7 resources about Group B Strep