Cerebral palsy (CP) can indeed result from untreated Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infections, particularly when these infections lead to severe complications such as neonatal meningitis or sepsis that cause brain injury. Group B Streptococcus is a common bacterium found in the lower intestine and vagina of many healthy adults, including pregnant women, where it usually causes no symptoms. However, if untreated during pregnancy or delivery, GBS can invade the newborn’s bloodstream or central nervous system, leading to serious infections that may damage the brain and result in cerebral palsy[1][2][3].
GBS infection in newborns often manifests as early-onset disease (within the first few days of life) or late-onset disease (from one week to three months after birth). Early-onset GBS infection can occur when the bacteria cross the placenta during pregnancy or are transmitted during delivery through the birth canal. This can cause neonatal sepsis or meningitis, both of which are serious infections that can damage the brain[3][4]. Meningitis caused by GBS involves inflammation of the meninges—the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. The bacteria release toxins that directly injure brain cells and blood vessels, while the body’s immune response to the infection releases cytokines and white blood cells that, although intended to fight infection, can also cause collateral damage to brain tissue[1].
The brain damage resulting from GBS meningitis or sepsis can lead to neurological impairments, including cerebral palsy. CP is a group of permanent movement and posture disorders caused by non-progressive disturbances in the developing brain. When GBS infection is untreated or treatment is delayed, the risk of brain injury increases significantly, potentially causing lifelong disabilities such as CP, hearing loss, seizures, and learning difficulties[1][3][5].
The pathophysiology behind this involves both direct bacterial damage and the inflammatory cascade triggered by the infection. The toxins from GBS bacteria damage brain cells and blood vessels, leading to ischemia (lack of blood flow) and energy deprivation in brain tissue. Simultaneously, the immune system’s response releases cytokines that recruit white blood cells to the site of infection. These white blood cells ingest bacteria but also release substances that can harm brain cells and blood vessels, amplifying brain injury[1][6].
Preventing GBS infection in newborns is a critical public health goal. Pregnant women are routinely screened for GBS colonization late in pregnancy, and if positive, they receive intravenous antibiotics during labor to reduce the risk of transmitting the bacteria to the baby. This intervention has dramatically decreased the incidence of early-onset GBS disease and its devastating consequences[2][3].
If GBS infection is not diagnosed or treated promptly, the consequences can be severe. Untreated GBS infections can lead to neonatal sepsis, meningitis, and permanent brain damage, which may manifest as cerebral palsy. Medical negligence in failing to diagnose or treat GBS infections adequately has led to legal claims and compensation cases, underscoring the importance of timely medical care[5].
In summary, untreated Group B Streptococcus infections during pregnancy or shortly after birth can cause serious infections in newborns, such as meningitis and sepsis, which can damage the brain and result in cerebral palsy. The damage arises from both bacterial toxins and the body’s inflammatory response, which together cause brain cell injur
