What are maternal infections?
A maternal infection is an illness that a mother has during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. Some maternal infections are already present before a woman gets pregnant, while others develop during this time.
If left untreated, certain maternal infections can pass to the baby and lead to serious complications, including cerebral palsy (CP), hearing loss, or other lifelong disabilities.
Infections like chorioamnionitis, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Group B streptococcus (GBS) are known to increase the risk of serious birth injuries.
Sometimes, doctors fail to recognize or treat these infections, and the results can be catastrophic. When medical negligence causes severe harm, families often take legal action by filing birth injury lawsuits.
Some birth injury lawsuits result in multimillion-dollar payouts, helping to cover the unexpected costs of medical care, therapy, and other expenses.
We partner with experienced birth injury lawyers across the country who have secured over $1 billion for families.
Find out if we can help your family, too. Get a free case review right now.
Top 10 facts on maternal infections during pregnancy
A maternal infection can be dangerous for both the mother and baby, especially when left undiagnosed or untreated.
Here are 10 key facts on maternal infections during pregnancy:
- 1 in 4 women carry Group B strep, which can be passed to the baby during delivery.
- Cytomegalovirus is the most common infection transferred to babies during pregnancy.
- Chorioamnionitis is a serious infection of the placenta and amniotic fluid linked to brain damage and cerebral palsy.
- Syphilis in pregnancy is on the rise and can lead to intrauterine fetal demise (stillbirth) or severe birth defects.
- Some infections, like toxoplasmosis and listeriosis, may cause no symptoms in the mother but serious harm to the baby.
- Infections can spread before birth (prenatal), during delivery (perinatal), or after birth through breastfeeding (postnatal).
- Early treatment can often prevent harm, but delays in care may lead to permanent injury.
- Infections like CMV, herpes, and rubella can cause serious harm to a baby during pregnancy. Doctors call these “TORCH infections.”
- Medical providers are responsible for screening, diagnosing, and managing infections during pregnancy.
- Missed infections may be considered medical negligence if they result in preventable injury to the baby.
Even common infections can have lifelong consequences without proper care, leaving families to face the emotional and financial consequences.
Types of birth injuries linked to maternal infection
When maternal infection is not diagnosed or treated in time, harmful pathogens may reach the baby during pregnancy or delivery. This can lead to serious birth injuries with lifelong effects.
- Brain damage: Infections like CMV, toxoplasmosis, and meningitis can damage developing brain tissue, leading to lifelong disabilities.
- Cerebral palsy: CP is caused by brain injury before, during, or shortly after birth, and may be related to infections like chorioamnionitis or untreated GBS.
- Hearing loss: Viral infections such as CMV and rubella are leading causes of congenital cases, meaning the condition is present at birth.
- Lung damage: Severe infections can cause pneumonia in newborns, which may require ventilation and result in lasting respiratory issues.
- Vision problems: Some infections can lead to optic nerve damage, cataracts, or other forms of visual impairment.
Prompt diagnosis and care can often prevent these outcomes. If your baby was harmed and an infection was missed or poorly managed, you may have legal options.
Call us right now at (855) 220-1101 or Click to Live Chat to see if we can connect you with a top birth injury lawyer near you.
How are maternal infections during pregnancy transmitted?
Maternal infections begin when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites enter the mother’s body during pregnancy. Some infections are mild, but others can cross the placenta or spread during delivery and cause birth injuries.
- Ascending infection: When bacteria from the vaginal area travel into the uterus and reach the baby
- Hematogenous transmission: When a pathogen spreads through the mother’s bloodstream and crosses the placenta
- Infection during delivery: When the baby is exposed to infected fluids or tissues in the birth canal
When these infections are not properly diagnosed or treated, the risk to the baby increases. In some cases, poor medical care may contribute to preventable birth injuries or complications.
“I’ve seen doctors test for infections during pregnancy and then fail to follow up on positive results. When care falls through the cracks, the baby pays the price.”
If a health care provider failed to manage a maternal infection and your baby was harmed, you may be able to seek compensation through a birth injury lawsuit.
Get a free case review right now to see if you may qualify.
Types of maternal infections that can harm a baby
Certain infections during pregnancy can pass to the baby and cause serious complications, including brain damage, hearing loss, or lifelong disabilities.
- Cytomegalovirus: A common viral infection spread through bodily fluids like saliva, urine, and breast milk. If passed to the baby, CMV can cause hearing loss, vision problems, seizures, and developmental delays.
- Toxoplasmosis: Caused by a parasite found in undercooked meat, contaminated water, or cat feces. If a pregnant woman becomes infected, the parasite can reach the baby and cause brain damage or other serious complications.
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV): This virus can be passed to the baby during delivery, especially if the mother has an active outbreak. It may cause brain inflammation, seizures, or even death without timely treatment.
- Rubella (German measles): Infection during early pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or birth defects affecting the brain, heart, and hearing.
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Untreated infections like syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious infections in the baby after birth.
When a maternal infection is missed or poorly managed during pregnancy, the consequences for a baby can be lifelong.
If your child was harmed, you may be wondering if it could have been prevented — or even feel like it’s your fault. Our nurses can help you understand what happened and what your options may be.
Connect with a registered nurse right now — it’s always free to talk with our team.
Signs and symptoms of maternal infection
Some maternal infections can be serious and may put both mother and baby at risk if not treated quickly. Early symptoms may not always be obvious, so it's important to watch for any changes.
- Excessive sweating (diaphoresis)
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge or amniotic fluid
- High white blood cell count (maternal leukocytosis)
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Maternal fever
- Rapid heart rate
- Uterine tenderness
If you suspect a maternal infection, contact your medical provider right away. Prompt care can reduce the risk of serious complications for you and your baby.
Treatment for maternal infection
Treating a maternal infection promptly is critical to protect both mother and unborn baby from serious complications. Obstetric doctors will carefully consider the risks and benefits of any treatment during pregnancy.
- Antibiotics: Medications like penicillin, commonly used to treat bacterial infections
- Antifungal medications: Used for yeast infections and other fungal conditions
- Antiviral drugs: Prescribed for infections like herpes simplex or HIV
- Prenatal monitoring: Tracks the baby’s development and detects complications early
- Supportive care: Includes fluids, rest, and fever control to stabilize the mother
Early diagnosis and proper treatment can help prevent serious outcomes, including birth injuries or long-term complications.
Get legal help for birth injuries caused by maternal infection
When a maternal infection is missed or poorly managed, the results can be devastating, especially when doctors fail to act on known risk factors or warning signs.
If your child was harmed due to a delayed diagnosis, lack of treatment, or other medical errors related to a maternal infection, you may be eligible for compensation from a birth injury lawsuit.
Compensation can help cover medical costs, therapies, and long-term care. It may also give your family the financial stability to plan for the future.
Cerebral Palsy Guide partners with top lawyers and law firms who can help families in all 50 states. Together, they have recovered over $1 billion for families affected by preventable birth injuries, including maternal infections that lead to harm.
Call our trained patient advocates at (855) 220-1101 or get a free case review right now to find out if we can help your family.
