Failure to Diagnose Group B Streptococcus Infection Leads to $2M Settlement following Mother’s Death

​A $2 million settlement was reached in Delaware regarding the death of a new mother from an undiagnosed group B streptococcus infection, according to the January 2015 issue (subscription required) of Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements, and Experts. The 33-year-old mother gave birth at a hospital to a healthy infant via cesarean section. Three days after the child's birth, the mother had a fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, reduced oxygen saturation, and heart palpitations. She underwent a chest x-ray that revealed cardiomegaly, but she was not treated with antibiotics or referred to an infectious disease specialist. The following day, she saw two physicians who were aware of her history. Neither clinician started antibiotic therapy or requested an infectious disease consult.