Stark warning to parents as 'silent infection' can be fatal in baby's first days

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborns is group B streptococcus (GBS), an infection that isn't routinely tested for in the UK.An average of two babies develop a GBS infection every day in the UK, according to the charity Group B Strep Support (GBSS).

While most recover, one baby dies as a result of the infection each week and one baby a week survives with life-changing disabilities.Although most people won't experience any symptoms, it is so common that GBSS says up to 40 percent of women carry the bacteria in their rectum, vagina or intestines.

Notably, the group B strep can affect babies around the time of birth.GBSS chief executive Jane Plumb spoke to PA to mark July, Group B Strep Awareness month.Jane set up the charity in 1996 with her husband Robert after their son, Theo, died from GBS infection just age 17 hours, stresses that raising awareness of Group B Strep can save babies' lives and minimise the heartache the illness often causes."Group B strep is the most common cause of severe infection, including sepsis and meningitis, in newborn babies, yet people are not routinely told about it during pregnancy.

This isn't good enough," she says.As the most common cause of infection in newborns, Plumb says GBS affects around 800 babies in the UK every year.It can lead to serious conditions including meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia.