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SANTIAGO — ARGENTINA
Born February 3, 2002 Early-onset Mother's GBS Status: Not tested Gestational Age: Full-term Age harmed: 2 days of age |
Santiago was born in Argentina, on February 3rd 2002. At that time, the screening for GBS was performed only on those women that showed some risks (like urinary tract infections during pregnancy among others). Since I was not inside the group of risk I was not screened for GBS. The morning of the day Santi was born (4AM) I woke up all wet: my water broke. We went to the hospital right away and since I did not have any contractions I was induced around 6 PM. At 10 PM Santi was born a very healthy boy (almost 4 kg) and an Apgar Test score of 9-10. After 2 days in the hospital we went home. That same day, after 2 hours at home, we were looking at our new baby when his face started to turn red. After a minute or so (I really cannot tell how much time), his face turned purple, his expression was absolutely terrifying as (we learned later) he was having a seizure. His arms and legs were stretched and he was not breathing. Instinctively, frightened and screaming for my baby, I started to administer artificial respiration and some massage on his chest. Thank God he reacted, his face looked normal again and he seemed to be ok. We rushed to the hospital when fluid samples were taken from every possible place of his body to test for infections and he was started on antibiotics right away in case that was the cause of his seizure. Once in the ICU, he suffered other seizure and we were told that he had an infection that was causing sepsis, so his kidneys were failing, his liver was failing and also his tiny lungs. He had also meningitis.
We also were told that the first night was crucial. I started to run a high fever so I was admitted too. Santi cried a lot that night and the doctors sedated him so he would not be in pain. He also needed medication to prevent more seizures, oxygen and the antibiotics. 48 H later we learned that the bacteria Santi had was GBS. We were told that the spinal tap was not good again and that increased the possibilities of future complications for Santiago. We were there with him day and night, we prayed a lot, and we realized that he could hear us, as he stop crying only when he heard my voice or that he was responding to touching. After several failure (and stressful) attempts I was finally able to breastfeed him again after almost a week, and after 18 days of hospitalization we went home. Santi was taking anti-seizure medication for 3 months, was under neurological control for 6 months and he did physical therapy for a year. Now Santi is 5 years old, and a happy completely healthy boy. Now in Argentina, and thanks to the efforts of the association of parents, it is mandatory to screen every pregnant woman for GBS. The efforts of this group continues to spread information to the community to prevent this terrible and yet avoidable infection. The web site is in Spanish and is http://www.prevencionegb.com.ar//
Thanks for this opportunity to share my story.
— Gabriela Pagnussat, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Santiago's mother is part of the group of Argentinian families whose children were victims of GBS. They inform the community and spread news about GBS.
We also were told that the first night was crucial. I started to run a high fever so I was admitted too. Santi cried a lot that night and the doctors sedated him so he would not be in pain. He also needed medication to prevent more seizures, oxygen and the antibiotics. 48 H later we learned that the bacteria Santi had was GBS. We were told that the spinal tap was not good again and that increased the possibilities of future complications for Santiago. We were there with him day and night, we prayed a lot, and we realized that he could hear us, as he stop crying only when he heard my voice or that he was responding to touching. After several failure (and stressful) attempts I was finally able to breastfeed him again after almost a week, and after 18 days of hospitalization we went home. Santi was taking anti-seizure medication for 3 months, was under neurological control for 6 months and he did physical therapy for a year. Now Santi is 5 years old, and a happy completely healthy boy. Now in Argentina, and thanks to the efforts of the association of parents, it is mandatory to screen every pregnant woman for GBS. The efforts of this group continues to spread information to the community to prevent this terrible and yet avoidable infection. The web site is in Spanish and is http://www.prevencionegb.com.ar//
Thanks for this opportunity to share my story.
— Gabriela Pagnussat, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Santiago's mother is part of the group of Argentinian families whose children were victims of GBS. They inform the community and spread news about GBS.
To learn more about Perinatal & GBS Misconceptions, click HERE.
To learn more about the Signs & Symptoms of Preterm Labor, click HERE.
To learn more about the Signs & Symptoms of GBS Infection, click HERE.
To learn more about Why Membranes Should NOT Be Stripped, click HERE.
To learn more about How to Help Protect Your Baby from Group B Strep (GBS), click HERE.
To learn more about the Signs & Symptoms of Preterm Labor, click HERE.
To learn more about the Signs & Symptoms of GBS Infection, click HERE.
To learn more about Why Membranes Should NOT Be Stripped, click HERE.
To learn more about How to Help Protect Your Baby from Group B Strep (GBS), click HERE.