Questions?What Is Infant Meningitis?
Meningitis in infants is a dangerous infection that affects the protective membranes around a baby’s brain and spinal cord.
It can develop very quickly and lead to serious complications, like seizures, brain damage, or even death if not treated right away. In some cases, meningitis in infants occurs due to medical errors.
These medical mistakes may include:
- Delaying important tests and treatment
- Failing to treat infections in the mother
- Missing early signs after delivery
Meningitis in infants may lead to lifelong challenges like cerebral palsy (CP) and permanent vision or hearing loss.
If a health care provider’s carelessness harmed your child, you may be able to take legal action. Compensation from a lawsuit can help cover the costs of long-term care, therapy, and other essential support services.
Taking legal action won’t change what your baby has been through, but it can help cover the cost of care and hold the medical team accountable.
The Birth Injury Justice Center partners with experienced attorneys who can help families in all 50 states.
Our trusted network has recovered over $1 billion for preventable birth injuries like meningitis in infants.
Get a free case review now to see if we may be able to help your family, too.
How Do Babies Get Meningitis?
Meningitis in infants usually starts when bacteria, viruses, or fungi enter the baby’s body and reach the brain or spinal cord. Newborns are especially vulnerable because their immune systems are still developing.
- Before or during birth: Infections like group B streptococcus (GBS) can pass from mother to baby.
- Shortly after delivery: Bacteria or viruses can enter the body through the lungs, bloodstream, or spinal fluid.
- From a hospital stay: Premature or sick babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may come in close contact with harmful germs.
- Through injuries: Scalp trauma or surgical procedures may allow harmful pathogens to spread.
If your baby had meningitis and you’ve been struggling to understand why, you’re not alone.
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Medical Negligence and Infant Meningitis
Doctors, nurses, and hospital staff are responsible for protecting newborns from preventable infections. That includes recognizing and treating conditions that can lead to meningitis in infants.
When health care providers fail to take proper action, the consequences can be life-altering, and medical negligence may be to blame.
Mistakes that can lead to or worsen infant meningitis include:
- Delaying treatment for maternal infections during pregnancy or labor
- Failing to test or monitor sick newborns for signs of infection
- Ignoring symptoms like fever, poor feeding, or irritability hours or days after birth
- Not administering antibiotics when medically indicated
- Using unsterile equipment or poor hygiene in delivery or NICU settings
These types of mistakes can allow a preventable infection to spread and reach the brain. When that happens, the damage can be permanent, and you may have legal options.
If you suspect a medical error caused your baby’s meningitis, get a free case review right now.
Signs of Meningitis in Infants
The early signs of meningitis in infants can be hard to spot. Unlike older children, babies can’t describe how they feel, and the symptoms may seem like a common illness at first.
However, meningitis can progress quickly, so early recognition is critical.
- Bulging fontanelle: Swelling of the soft spot on the baby’s head
- Changes in behavior: Unusual fussiness, extreme irritability, or difficulty waking
- Feeding problems: Poor feeding or refusing to eat
- Fever or low body temperature: Especially in babies younger than 3 months
- Respiratory issues: Rapid breathing, pauses (apnea), or increased effort to breathe
- Seizures: Jerky movements or stiffness
- Stiff neck or body: May be hard to detect in newborns, but can show as a rigid posture
- Vomiting or diarrhea: Can appear with or without other symptoms
- Weak cry or moaning: High-pitched cry or softer than usual
If your baby shows any of these symptoms, seek medical care immediately. Infant meningitis can worsen within hours and may lead to long-term brain damage if not treated right away.
Complications From Meningitis in Babies
Even with treatment, meningitis in infants can cause serious and sometimes permanent complications.
The infection attacks the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord, which can lead to swelling, tissue damage, and interrupted blood flow. For babies, whose brains are still developing, this damage can have lifelong effects.
- Cerebral palsy: Brain damage from meningitis can impair muscle control, balance, and coordination, leading to this lifelong disability.
- Developmental delays: Memory, learning, and communication may all be affected.
- Hearing loss: Meningitis is one of the leading causes of permanent hearing loss in babies.
- Hydrocephalus: Inflammation may block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, causing pressure and swelling in the brain.
- Seizure disorders: Damage to the brain’s electrical system can result in chronic epilepsy.
- Vision problems: Meningitis can lead to partial or complete loss of sight.
These conditions often require extensive, long-term care. Therapies, medical equipment, and home modifications can place a heavy financial strain on families.
If medical negligence contributed to the infection spreading or delayed your baby’s treatment, your family may be entitled to compensation from an infant meningitis lawsuit.
Types of Meningitis in Infants
There are three main types of meningitis in infants, and each comes with its own causes and risks. Viral infections are the most common and usually result in mild, flu-like symptoms.
Bacterial meningitis is much more serious. It can quickly become life-threatening if not treated right away. Fungal meningitis is rare but can occur in infants with weakened immune systems or other health complications.
Overall, bacterial and fungal meningitis are more dangerous than viral forms and are more likely to cause long-term harm.
The table below explains the types of meningitis in infants.
| Type of Infant Meningitis | Risk & Cause | Typical Course |
|---|---|---|
| Viral meningitis | Most common; caused by enteroviruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), herpes simplex (HSV) | Usually mild; resolves in 7‑10 days; HSV meningitis can be serious |
| Bacterial meningitis | Life‑threatening; caused by GBS, E. coli, pneumococcus, meningococcus | High risk for brain damage or death without treatment; Needs prompt IV antibiotics |
| Fungal meningitis | Rare; caused by Candida, Cryptococcus, or Histoplasma | Usually seen in NICU; requires lengthy antifungal therapy |
Diagnosing Meningitis in Infants
To diagnose and treat meningitis in infants effectively, doctors must first determine whether the organism causing the infection is bacterial, viral, or fungal.
Pinpointing the exact cause helps determine the most appropriate treatment to improve health outcomes.
- Blood cultures: Blood samples are placed on special plates to see if bacteria, viruses, or fungi grow. If organisms are present, they may be the source of the infection.
- Blood tests: These check for elevated white blood cell counts and markers of inflammation, like C-reactive protein (CRP).
- CT scan (computed tomography): This imaging test allows doctors to look for swelling, abscesses (pockets of pus), or other signs of brain inflammation.
- Lumbar puncture (spinal tap): A small amount of cerebrospinal fluid is collected from the baby’s lower back and tested for the presence of infection-causing organisms.
These tests help doctors confirm a diagnosis and begin treatment as early as possible. Delays or errors in this process can result in serious harm.
If your baby was diagnosed with infant meningitis and suffered complications, you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Get a free legal case review right now to see if you may qualify.
Treatment Options for Infant Meningitis
Infant meningitis treatment depends on the type and how early it’s diagnosed.
Unfortunately, the cost of treating infant meningitis can be overwhelming. Families may face medical bills that include hospital care, specialist visits, and long-term therapies.
In cases caused by medical negligence, infant meningitis settlements may help cover these costs and ensure the child receives the best possible care.
Learn more about treatment options for meningitis in infants below.
Treatment for Viral Meningitis in Infants
Viral meningitis is typically less severe than other types and often resolves on its own. However, infants may still require hospital monitoring to manage fever, hydration, and nutrition.
Doctors may also run tests to rule out more dangerous infections while continuing to observe the baby’s condition.
Treatment for Bacterial Meningitis in Infants
Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency. Treatment must begin immediately, typically with intravenous (IV) antibiotics and, in some cases, steroids to reduce brain inflammation.
Babies may need supportive care in a NICU, including oxygen, fluids, and monitoring for seizures or other complications.
Treatment for Fungal Meningitis in Infants
Fungal meningitis is rare but dangerous, especially in babies with weakened immune systems. Treatment typically involves long courses of antifungal medications given through an IV. These cases are closely monitored due to the high risk of complications.
If your baby was treated for meningitis and you still have questions, our registered nurses can help you understand what happened and whether anything may have been missed — at no cost to you.
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Financial Compensation for Infant Meningitis
Caring for a child with long-term health issues from infant meningitis can place a major financial strain on families. Ongoing medical care, therapy, equipment, and time away from work can add up quickly, especially if the child needs lifelong support.
If your baby’s meningitis was caused or made worse by a medical mistake, your family may be eligible for financial compensation.
Filing an infant meningitis claim can help cover the cost of current and future care, including in-home nursing, special education services, and assistive devices.
A Wisconsin jury awarded a family $19 million after infant meningitis was not properly diagnosed, resulting in permanent brain damage, near-total blindness, and deafness.
Not every case will qualify, but a successful claim can provide the support needed to provide for your child’s future.
Get Legal Help for Infant Meningitis
If your baby was harmed by infant meningitis that could have been prevented, your family may be eligible to take legal action. When doctors miss the signs of meningitis in infants, the result can be catastrophic.
A birth injury lawsuit can help your family recover the cost of care and hold negligent providers accountable.
The Birth Injury Justice Center works with experienced birth injury lawyers who represent families in all 50 states.
Our legal partners have secured more than $1 billion for families affected by preventable injuries.
Call (800) 914-1562 right now or fill out our case review form to see if legal action may be an option for your family.
Meningitis in Infants FAQs
How do I know if my baby has meningitis?
Infant meningitis can be hard to recognize at first, which makes early action even more important.
Watch for these warning signs:
- Bulging fontanelle: Swelling in the soft spot on top of the head
- Feeding problems: Refusing to eat, vomiting, or poor sucking
- Irregular temperature: Fever or unusually low body temperature
- Irritability: High-pitched crying or unusual fussiness
- Seizures: Jerky movements or staring spells
- Sleepiness: Difficult to wake or extreme drowsiness
- Stiffness: Rigid neck or body
Call your doctor right away if your baby shows any of these symptoms.
How does a baby get meningitis?
Meningitis in infants usually happens when bacteria, viruses, or fungi enter the baby’s bloodstream and spread to the brain and spinal cord. This can occur during or shortly after birth, especially if the baby is exposed to an infection from the mother, the environment, or hospital staff.
Can a baby be born with meningitis?
Yes, some babies are born with meningitis if they are exposed to an infection in the womb or during delivery. Group B strep and certain viruses can pass from mother to baby and cause serious illness shortly after birth.
What causes meningitis in babies?
Meningitis in infants is caused by an infection that reaches the brain and spinal cord.
The most common causes of meningitis in infants include:
- Bacteria: Group B strep, E. coli, and Listeria
- Fungi: Rare, but possible in premature or immunocompromised babies
- Viruses: Enteroviruses, herpes simplex virus, and others
If infant meningitis was not properly managed, your child may face long-term complications, and you may be eligible for financial support.
Call us at (800) 914-1562 right now or Click to Live Chat to see if we can help you file a meningitis in infants claim to pursue the financial support your child deserves.
How do babies get bacterial meningitis?
Babies can get bacterial meningitis by being exposed to bacteria during labor, delivery, or after birth. The bacteria may come from the mother, medical equipment, or other caregivers.
Newborns are especially vulnerable because their immune systems are still developing.
What are the symptoms of meningitis in infants?
Signs of meningitis in infants can be hard to recognize, but they can quickly worsen, so it’s important to know what to look for.
Watch for the following symptoms of infant meningitis:
- Bulging fontanelle
- Extreme sleepiness
- Fever or low temperature
- High-pitched crying
- Poor feeding
- Seizures
- Stiff neck or body
If your baby shows any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical care right away.
Can babies fully recover from meningitis?
Some cases of meningitis in infants can resolve without lasting harm, especially when diagnosed and treated early. The outcome depends on how quickly the infection is recognized and care begins.
Severe cases can lead to long-term effects such as:
- Brain damage
- Cerebral palsy
- Developmental delays
- Hearing or vision loss
If your child is experiencing any of these long-term effects, it may be a sign that something went wrong during childbirth.
Get a free case review to find out if you could be eligible for money to pay for long-term care.
