When the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, become inflamed, it is called meningitis. This illness is typically caused by a bacteria or virus, according to the Nemours Foundation website Kids Health. In a newborn, these infectious agents are contracted most often from the birth canal during delivery. The bacteria and viruses found in the woman's vagina may lead to meningitis or other illnesses such as pneumonia.
Group B Streptococcal Disease
Group B streptococcus, or GBS, is a common bacterium existing naturally in some parts of the body. When present in the birth canal, it can infect a newborn. Pregnant women are tested during a prenatal appointment sometime between week 35 and 37 of pregnancy. This test is performed by swabbing the vagina and rectum, and then the cultures are allowed to grow for 24 to 48 hours, according to the American Pregnancy Association. If this test reveals a woman has GBS, she will be given an intravenous antibiotic during labor to reduce the risk of the baby contracting the bacteria during delivery. For safety purposes, the mother will be presumed to have the infection once she tests positive.
If the baby contracts GBS at birth, it can cause pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis. Sepsis is a bacterial infection of the blood, according to Merck Manuals. Signs of this infection include trouble breathing, difficulty eating, elevated temperature and unusual crankiness. When the bacteria spreads to the meninges, the infant will have a higher fever, trouble staying awake, irritability, sensitivity to light in the eyes, neck stiffness, seizures and persistent crying that can't be consoled.
Listeriosis
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that is found in the soil and water, explains Kids Health. A pregnant woman can eat fruits, vegetables and animal products that may be contaminated with this bacteria. The result is an infection called listeriosis that can be passed to the baby. Listeriosis can also cause premature delivery or stillbirth in extreme cases; more commonly, however, it can cause an infection in the baby that is similar to GBS.
A baby born with listeriosis can develop pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis. The symptoms presented at birth include trouble breathing, difficulty eating, elevated temperature and unusual crankiness. When listeriosis spreads to the meninges, the symptoms of meningitis will be the same as those that occur with any other bacterial infection. This includes an non-specific skin rash, stiff neck, sensitivity to light in the eyes, a loss of consciousness, elevated fever and inconsolable crying.
E. Coli
Escherichia coli, or E. coli, is another bacteria that can be passed to a pregnant woman through contaminated foods such as produce and animal products. It is also found naturally in the human body, therefore the mother can be the source of infection to a newborn baby. The result can be urinary tract infection, sepsis, meningitis and pneumonia, according to the Kids Health.
An infant who contracts this bacteria when traveling through the birth canal can exhibit symptoms including fever, unusual fussiness, listlessness or a lack of interest in feeding. When the illness spreads to the meninges, the symptoms will become more significant including a fluctuating body temperature, trouble breathing, yellowing skin due to jaundice, vomiting, diarrhea and the baby's fontanels may bulge.
