Group B streptococcal septicemia of the newborn: when to get help
Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Possible sepsis in a newborn is an emergency.
Call emergency services now if a baby:
Has severe difficulty breathing or repeated pauses in breathing
Has blue, grey, or very pale skin
Is floppy, unresponsive, or cannot be woken
Has a seizure
Appears to be rapidly getting worse
These concerns are important but are different from the emergency signs above.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Do not wait for a routine appointment if a baby under 3 months has a temperature of 38°C or higher, feels unusually cold, feeds poorly, is much sleepier than normal, or develops breathing changes.
Seek urgent medical assessment even if the symptoms seem mild.
Contact the follow-up team sooner if feeding worsens, expected skills are lost, movements seem unusual, or there are concerns about hearing or vision.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
After hospital discharge, routine follow-up is used to check growth, feeding, hearing, and development.