GBS as this infection is commonly
known is caused by a naturally occurring
bacterium that sometimes makes the
genitals its home. Usually it is symptom-free
as no symptoms manifest and generally
it causes no harm to the mother. However
GBS can be life-threatening to the
newborn.
The
Facts..
• It is rare but dangerous
• It is often transferred
through sexual contact; however
it is not considered an STD
• It inhabits the genital,
urinary tracts and bowels of some
pregnant women
• This infection comes and
goes
• Despite being common, its
attack is rare but can be very vicious
• It is still a wonder why
some babies develop GBS while others
don't
• Fortunately the incidence
of this infection is low enough
due to timely screening and treatment
• Group B strep is sometimes
confused with Group A, which is
different as it causes strep throat
The Worst
scenario..
If babies contract GBS, it can cause
life-threatening situations to develop
• Blood infection, pneumonia,
brain inflammation
• Permanent disabilities such
as brain and lung damage, blindness,
hearing loss If mothers get infected
they can develop UTI and infection
of the uterus In the worst-case
scenario, GBS can be fatal or cause
stillbirth
Who is
most at risk..
• If you have had a baby with
GBS infection
• If your labor is earlier than
37 weeks (preterm)
• If your waters break more
than 18 hours prior to delivery
• If your waters break preterm
• If GBS bacterium is found
in your urine
• If you are diagnosed at any
point to be having this infection
• If your temperature shoots
up beyond 37.8 degrees during labor
(not including epidural cases)
Test Facts..
• Between weeks 35 and 37, the
mother will be checked for this bacterium
• It is a short, painless procedure
that involves a swab in the lower
end of the vagina and rectum
• Results will be ready in 2-3
days
• Since the bacteria doesn't
stay and comes and goes instead, testing
early doesn't make sense.
• Unless the mother goes into
preterm labor, the test is only performed
after week 35 and not any earlier
• Even if vaginal or rectal
cultures are positive, treatment will
not commence immediately because the
infection may return
• However in cases where the
mother has UTI from GBS, treatment
will be right away to prevent the
onset of kidney infection and premature
labor
•
In preterm labor instances, the mother
will be tested and treatment will
begin
• Treatment involves intravenous
antibiotics during labor
• Bacteria breeding in the mother's
system are wiped out with this treatment
• The antibiotics crosses into
the amniotic fluid thereby treating
the unborn baby as well
• It is better to administer
the antibiotic treatment 4 hours before
the birth as it takes about 3 hours
before the medication reaches the
placenta
• C-section doesn't eliminate
the chances of contracting GBS if
the mother is a carrier. The safest
bet would be to provide treatment
to carriers of GBS or mothers who
are most risk
If Newborn
gets it..
• Newborns can become sick at
birth or up to 3 months of age if
infected
• The bacterium crosses both
broken and intact membranes and enters
the baby's system via its lungs.
• Some of the symptoms of baby
infection include lethargy, poor feeding,
very high or low heart rate, irritability,
abnormal temperature and breathing
• Diagnosis of this infection
is made from blood cultures or spinal
fluid samples
• Antibiotics in high doses
for a course of 2 weeks will be given
immediately
• In some instances babies will
be transferred to a neonatal intensive
care unit where they will be observed
and treated
