Simple test and IV antibiotics can protect newborns from group B strep infections

ALBANY, Ga. – Although OB-GYNs have made great strides in reducing group B streptococcus disease (also known as GBS) – a leading killer of newborns in the United States – women of childbearing age need to be aware of the importance of prenatal screening and treatment during labor to protect newborns from infection.

“Obstetricians routinely recommend testing for group B strep disease, which many parents-to-be have never heard before,” says Southwest District Health Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant. “Women need to know a simple, painless test performed when they are 35 to 37 weeks pregnant can reveal the presence of group B strep bacteria, and administering antibiotics during labor can protect their babies.”

Group B strep infections are not sexually transmitted, she said. One in four pregnant women are group B strep carriers.

“Many carriers may not have symptoms or become sick,” Grant stressed. “During July – National Group B Strep Awareness Month – we hope to raise awareness of this dangerous but preventable disease.” Strep throat is caused by bacteria belonging to a different species of the same family.

Citing statistics from the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Grant said that group B strep is the most common cause of blood infection and meningitis (infection of the fluid and lining around the brain) in newborns and is a frequent cause of newborn pneumonia.

“Group B strep disease is more common than better-known newborn problems such as rubella, spina bifida and congenital syphilis, but the public is not nearly as familiar with it,” she said, adding that roughly half of the cases of newborn group B strep cases are early onset disease, occurring in the first week of life.

“Most of them begin a few hours after birth. However, group B strep disease can also develop in infants several months after birth,” she said.

Women who have previously tested positive for group B strep or who have had an infant with group B strep infection should receive antibiotics during any subsequent labor and delivery. “In such cases, there is no need to retest prenatally,” Grant said.

The success in reducing group B strep infections in newborns underscores the importance of prenatal care, she added. “This is just one example of the benefits to mothers-to-be and newborns. Regular prenatal care is essential to good health.”

For more information about group B strep disease, go to the district website, www.southwestgeorgiapublichealth.org or visit the Centers for Disease Control website, www.cdc.gov.