Hartlepool mum's pledge to share dangers of deadly bug after baby girl's fight back to health

Victoria and Robbie Auton were warned the worst could happen after their daughter Lexie fell ill at three weeks old, with the couple later told she might never smile or walk.

Now, with the eight-month-old’s health is back on track, the couple are launching a drive to ensure other parents learn of the dangers of Group B Strep after they only discovered its risk after Lexie was diagnosed with Group B streptococcal meningitis.

Victoria, 35, a project manager for Tees Valley Sport, and Robbie, 40, a corrugator manager for Saica, were initially told it was a viral infection and to give her Calpol, but when her condition deteriorated they rushed her to A&E.

They were later told had they waited an hour longer, their daughter would not have recovered from the illness, which is passed on through birth.

Lexie spent three days in the University Hospital of North Tees before she was sent to a specialist unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle for five weeks.

As Victoria kept a vigil over her daughter, she noticed her hand tapping – a warning sign she was having seizures.

When she was told it would be a waiting game to see the impact of the brain damage the infection had caused, the mum turned her attention to researching every detail to give Lexie the best chance of recovery.

The help given by specialist physios online and from the RVI’s own therapist have helped Lexie’s nervous system find new paths, helping her regain full movement, with her latest check-up putting her back to where she should have been without the illness.

The couple, who are also parents to Bradley, six, and are due to welcome another baby in the New Year, are working on launching a petition to change the rules so expectant mums and dads are given information about the dangers of the bacteria how they can pay privately for a test.

They hope others can be saved from the ordeal they faced, with Lexie put on oxygen, fitted with a central line to deliver antibiotics and her hair shaved off as medics saved her life.

Victoria said: “We didn’t have any clue about this disease.

"We were told after the brain scan that she might not be able to look at us, smile or walk.

"I thought my baby had just gone through the most horrendous thing and that I’m going to do something about it.

"The occupational therapist Debs Gardner was the first person to help and that made so much difference, because I wasn’t going to leave my baby to dwindle away and I wanted to give her every chance.

"We also want to share our story to give hope to other families who have gone through the same trauma as us.”

More about Group B Strep can be found via www.nhs.uk/conditions/group-b-strep/.

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