What is Group B streptococcus infection?
- Group B streptococci is a bacteria that is found in the vagina or lower intestine of 10-30% of pregnant women.
- While Group B strep does not usually cause problems for most women it can occasionally cause infections in them or their newborn babies.
- Approximately 1% of babies born to women with this bacteria develop symptoms.
- The risk of serious disease appears to be greatest among premature infants.
 What complications does Group B streptococcus cause for the baby?
- Newborn babies can get Group B strep infection when the bacteria enters the amniotic cavity after the membranes have ruptured or when there are small tears in the amniotic sac.
- Having a caesarian section does not eliminate the risk of infection.
- Group B strep infection can also be acquired when the baby passes through the mother's vagina (birth canal) during birth.
- In either case, the baby may inhale or swallow the bacteria.
- The bacteria then makes its way into the baby's blood stream where toxins may be released, which may cause infection in the baby's heart, lungs and brain.
Early Onset Disease
- Early Onset disease appears before the baby is 7 days old.
- It is acquired before or during delivery, and occurs more frequently in low birth weight infants.
- It is characterized by bacterial infection in the baby's bloodstream that often leads to respiratory distress, periods of irregular breathing shock, pneumonia and meningitis.
- Early Onset disease has a death rate of about 50%.
Late Onset Disease
- Late Onset disease appears after the baby is 7 days old to several months old.
- It is characterized by bacterial infection in the baby's bloodstream that often leads to meningitis.
- Late Onset disease has a death rate of about 25% and is acquired by person-to-person contact and occurs in full-term infants.
 How do you prevent/treat Group B streptococcus of the newborn?
- To prevent Early Onset of Group B streptococcal disease (GBS) of the newborn, there are currently two protocols in use by physicians:
- Screening by cultures of all pregnant women at 35-37 weeks of pregnancy. Women who screen positive would receive antibiotic treatment during labour.
- Antibiotic treatment for all women with the following high risk criteria:
- preterm labour, (less than 37 weeks gestation),
- prolonged rupture of membranes, (greater than 18 hours),
- maternal fever during labour, (greater than 38° C orally),
- previous birth of a newborn with GBS or evidence of GBS bacteria during pregnancy.
- Pregnant women should discuss any concerns they have about this disease with their physician.
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