Maternal Infections and Birth Injury

Undetected and untreated infections in pregnant women can have devastating effects on their babies. Infections can be transmitted from mother to child through the birth canal during delivery. If a baby becomes infected, this can lead to neonatal brain damage and other birth injuries (‘birth injury’ is a broad term that can be used to describe any type of harm a baby experiences around the time of their birth). Many babies who contract a maternal infection go on to develop lifelong disorders such as cerebral palsy (CP) and intellectual disabilities. In order to prevent birth injuries and subsequent disabilities, it is critical for physicians to identify infections in the mother and treat them accordingly. Failure to do so is medical malpractice.