This form appears within roughly the first three days of life and is often linked to an infection passed from mother to baby around delivery, such as Group B Strep. It is a key reason screening and timely antibiotics during labor matter.
Understanding Sepsis and Septic Shock in Mothers and Newborns
Sepsis can move quickly, and when it affects a newborn or a new mother, the hours after diagnosis matter. This page is here to help you understand the condition, how it can develop around pregnancy and birth, and the options available to your family.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. Instead of fighting the infection in a contained way, the immune system triggers widespread inflammation that can injure tissues and interfere with how the organs work. Septic shock is the most severe form, when sepsis causes a dangerous drop in blood pressure that keeps organs from getting the blood and oxygen they need.
Around pregnancy and birth, sepsis can affect a newborn (neonatal sepsis) or a mother during pregnancy, labor, or the days and weeks after delivery (maternal sepsis). In both cases, early recognition and prompt treatment make a meaningful difference, which is why a delay can be so serious.
Signs and symptoms
Because sepsis can develop quickly and its early signs can be easy to miss, recognizing it matters. The symptoms often look different in newborns and adults.
In newborns, signs may include:
- A fever or an unusually low body temperature
- Poor feeding or difficulty waking
- Fast, slow, or labored breathing
- Unusual fussiness or listlessness
- Pale, mottled, or bluish skin
- Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes
In mothers, signs may include:
- Fever, chills, or shivering
- A fast heart rate or rapid breathing
- Severe abdominal or pelvic pain
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Confusion or disorientation
- Low blood pressure or feeling faint
What causes sepsis around birth?
Sepsis begins with an infection that spreads. Around the time of birth, common sources include:
- Group B Streptococcus (GBS) passed from mother to baby during delivery
- Infection of the membranes and fluid surrounding the baby (chorioamnionitis)
- Prolonged rupture of the membranes before delivery
- Urinary tract or kidney infections during pregnancy
- Infection of the uterus after delivery (endometritis)
- Wound infections following a cesarean section
- Infections acquired in the hospital or NICU, especially in premature or medically fragile babies
Not every infection leads to sepsis, and not every case of sepsis involves a medical error. In some situations, though, the harm comes from a missed diagnosis or a delay in treatment.
When sepsis may be medical malpractice
Not every case of sepsis or septic shock is the result of medical negligence. Infections can develop even when providers do everything right. That said, certain circumstances may point to negligence, such as:
- Failing to screen a mother for Group B Strep during pregnancy, or not providing antibiotics during labor when they are indicated
- Not recognizing or treating an infection such as chorioamnionitis
- Missing the early warning signs of sepsis in a mother or newborn
- Delaying blood tests, cultures, or antibiotics once an infection is suspected
- Failing to monitor a premature or at-risk baby closely for signs of infection
- Sending a mother or baby home without addressing symptoms of a developing infection
Whether a specific case involves malpractice depends on the medical records and the details of what happened. The attorneys at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC work with medical experts to review the care that was provided, determine whether the standard of care was met, and help families understand whether the harm could have been prevented.
Treatment and long-term outlook
Sepsis is a medical emergency, and treatment focuses on acting fast. Care usually begins with antibiotics to fight the infection, along with intravenous fluids to support blood pressure and circulation. A newborn with sepsis is typically treated in a neonatal intensive care unit, where the baby can receive breathing support, close monitoring, and medication as needed. When septic shock develops, treatment may also include medications to raise blood pressure and support organ function.
Long-term outcomes depend on how quickly the infection was caught and treated and how the body responded. Many people recover fully with prompt care. In more serious cases, sepsis can lead to lasting complications, and when a newborn’s brain is affected, it can contribute to conditions such as cerebral palsy, hearing or vision loss, or developmental delays. Ongoing care and therapy can help children who experience lasting effects.
Injury Types: Sepsis and Septic Shock
Recognizing the forms of sepsis around pregnancy and birth.
Sepsis can take different forms depending on when and how the infection develops. Understanding these differences can help families make sense of a diagnosis and ask the right questions about their care.
Early-onset neonatal sepsis
Maternal (puerperal) sepsis
Sepsis can also affect a mother during pregnancy, labor, or the weeks after delivery, often from infections of the uterus, urinary tract, or a cesarean incision. Prompt recognition protects the health of both mother and baby.
Late-onset neonatal sepsis
This form develops after the first few days, sometimes weeks after birth. It is more often connected to infections acquired in the hospital or environment, and premature or medically fragile babies face a higher risk.
Septic shock
This is the most severe stage, when sepsis causes blood pressure to fall to dangerous levels and the organs begin to struggle. It calls for emergency treatment, which is why any delay in care can carry serious consequences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about sepsis and septic shock.
If your family has been affected by sepsis, you likely have questions. Here are answers to a few of the most common ones.
What is the connection between Group B Strep and newborn sepsis?
Group B Streptococcus, or GBS, is a common bacteria that many healthy women carry without any symptoms. During delivery, it can pass to the baby and become one of the leading causes of early-onset newborn sepsis. This is why mothers are typically screened for GBS late in pregnancy and given antibiotics during labor if they test positive, a step that can help protect the baby from infection.
Is sepsis always caused by medical malpractice?
No. Infections can develop even when doctors and nurses provide excellent care, and not every case of sepsis could have been prevented. Malpractice may be involved when providers miss clear warning signs, fail to follow screening or treatment guidelines, or delay care once an infection is suspected. Reviewing the medical records is the best way to understand whether the standard of care was met.
How are sepsis and septic shock treated?
Because sepsis is a medical emergency, treatment focuses on speed. It usually includes antibiotics to fight the infection and intravenous fluids to support blood pressure, along with close monitoring in a hospital or neonatal intensive care unit. If septic shock develops, care may also include medications to raise blood pressure and support the organs.
How long do we have to file a claim?
The time limit to file a claim depends on the state where the care took place, and the deadlines for cases involving a child can differ from those involving an adult. Because these rules vary and can be strict, it is best to speak with an attorney as early as possible so no important deadline passes. Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC handles cases nationwide and can help you understand the deadline that applies to your situation.
