A YOUNG mum is calling for free tests to detect a rare baby disease after her son almost died of it.

Cohben O'Brien, now nearly five months old, spent the first two weeks of his life in the neonatal unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital after being diagnosed with Group B Streptococcus (GBS), a condition similar to meningitis.

For two days his parents, Michelle Cartwright, aged 26, and Paul O'Brien, aged 30, were unable to hold their first child and had to watch him fight for life inside an incubator.

When Cohben was born on April 29, his umbilical cord was tied loosely round his neck and doctors had to resuscitate him three times. He was put in an incubator and given antibiotics, oxygen and a drip.

But in the week following his birth, little Cohben developed a rash and Michelle asked doctors to investigate.

He was diagnosed with GBS but luckily, because he had already been given penicillin, he was over the worst of the deadly infection, which is passed on at birth if the mother is a carrier.

Nail technician Michelle and Paul, a builder, were finally able to bring Cohben home to Bridgeman Street, Farnworth, on May 13, although he must have check-ups to ensure no after-effects occur in later life.

Michelle, who is now a volunteer for the GBS support group, is calling for the NHS to provide free tests for all pregnant women, as the infection can be treated in the womb.

She said: "I sailed through the pregnancy and expected everything to be normal, then this happened.

"It was horrendous. I always wanted two children, but now I don't think I could because I'm so frightened this will happen again.

"There were times when I really didn't think I'd be bringing him home and this could have all be prevented with a simple test. There is no awareness of GBS, I didn't even know it existed.

Each year, 700 babies are diagnosed with GBS. It develops in the first two days as meningitis with septicaemia (blood poisoning). Symptoms include grunting, poor feeding, lethargy, irritability, low blood pressure and low blood sugar, and very high or very low temperature, heart rate and breathing rates.

Nearly 100 of them die, with a further 40 left with long-term mental or physical problems.

Next week is the first GBS awareness week and mothers-to-be are being urged to ask about the test, which costs about £30.

More information is available from the GBS support group by calling 01444 416176, emailing jane.plumb@gbss

org.uk or by visiting their website at www.gbss.org.uk