If an untreated maternal infection harms your baby, you may be entitled to legal compensation. Certain infections during pregnancy can be passed from mother to child, leading to serious, even life-threatening, complications if not properly diagnosed and managed. Doctors are trained to monitor for these risks and take timely action. When they don’t, families may face devastating outcomes that could have been avoided.

Common preventable infections include:

• Group B Strep: Can cause sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis in newborns if not treated during labor
• Genital Herpes: May require a C-section to avoid transmission during delivery
• Syphilis: Can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe birth defects
• Hepatitis C: Can be unknowingly passed to the baby if not diagnosed and monitored
• Chickenpox (Varicella): May result in congenital defects such as malformed limbs and developmental delays

A medical provider’s failure to test, diagnose, or treat these infections could constitute malpractice if injury occurs as a result. If your baby was harmed and you suspect medical negligence, a maternal infection attorney can help investigate your case and hold the responsible parties accountable.