Can untreated maternal infections cause birth injuries?
Yes, infections in a pregnant woman that go untreated can harm the unborn baby and lead to birth injuries. These infections can pass through the placenta or during delivery, causing problems like brain damage or other serious issues.
Pregnancy makes a woman’s body more open to certain germs. Common ones include hepatitis B and C, listeria, Lyme disease, Zika virus, and sexually transmitted infections like herpes or HIV.[1] Group B Streptococcus, E. coli, and bacteria that cause meningitis are also risks, especially during labor.[2][3] If doctors miss these or fail to treat them, the baby faces real danger.
How do these infections hurt the baby? They can cross the placenta and spark swelling in the baby’s brain. This cuts off oxygen and stops normal brain growth.[2][3] For example, chorioamnionitis is an infection of the placental tissues that leads to inflammation and low oxygen, raising the chance of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, or HIE.[3] HIE is a type of brain injury from lack of oxygen that can cause lifelong issues.
During birth, untreated infections raise the mother’s fever or cause prolonged rupture of membranes. This lets bacteria reach the baby, leading to neonatal sepsis, a body-wide infection.[2][3] Sepsis can trigger jaundice, where bilirubin builds up and damages the brain if not fixed fast.[3] Even after birth, infections like meningitis can infect the brain and spinal cord directly.[3]
One big worry is cerebral palsy. Infections during pregnancy or birth increase swelling, drop oxygen levels, and mess with brain cell formation. Premature babies are hit hardest because their systems are weak.[2] Neonatal infections from mom can also cause movement problems or other cerebral palsy signs later on.[3]
Other birth injuries link back to these infections too. They might cause fetal distress, where the baby struggles for oxygen, or lead to early labor and low birth weight.[1][6] In rare cases, they tie into broader issues like developmental delays, though links to things like autism need more study.[9]
Doctors can often prevent this with simple steps. Screening for Group B Strep in the third trimester lets them give antibiotics during delivery.[2] Good prenatal care spots urinary or vaginal infections early.[2] Moms should watch for fever, poor feeding in newborns, or breathing trouble and get help fast.[2]
Risks go up with factors like diabetes, anemia, or long membrane rupture.[4] But timely treatment stops most harm. Untreated cases turn small problems into emergencies for both mom and baby.[1][5]
Sources
https://www.brewsterlaw.com/medical-malpractice/birth-injuries/
https://www.pediatricorthopedicdoctor.in/2025/12/25/severe-infections-in-infants-leading-to-cerebral-palsy-causes-early-signs-and-prevention/
https://www.nationalbirthinjurylaw.com/what-causes-cerebral-palsy
https://www.rwkgoodman.com/injury/birth-injury-claims/maternal-injury-claims/
https://advantagesolicitors.com/medical-negligence/birth-related-claims/
https://www.thomaslawoffices.com/areas-we-serve/chicago-personal-injury-lawyers/medical-malpractice/birth-injuries/
https://prosperlaw.com/medical-malpractice-childbirth/
https://www.salvilaw.com/blog/causes-of-maternal-death-during-childbirth/
https://www.dko-law.com/blog/can-birth-injuries-cause-autism-or-adhd/
https://www.rheingoldlaw.com/nyc-birth-injuries-lawyer/
