What is Group B Strep (GBS), and why is my OB concerned about it?

GBS is one of the types of strep bacteria that can cause infection in humans.  It can occasionally live on and in our bodies and not cause any trouble, but when it does cause infection it can be significant.  Women who test positive for GBS during their pregnancies are at risk of passing it on to their babies during labor.

There are two main kinds of infant GBS infection that we worry about, early and late onset GBS infections.  Both can cause sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis. Early onset GBS disease occurs in infants from before birth to 6 days old.  Most of these babies will start with symptoms within 12-24 hours, which include not breathing, eating poorly, unable to keep temperature stable, and poor tone.  While it’s more likely to happen to premature babies, term babies can also develop this infection. 

Late onset GBS infection occurs anywhere from 7 days to 90 days old with an average of about 30 days of age.  Late onset GBS can start with irritability, floppiness, abnormal jerking, and pale blotchy skin. There will not always be an abnormal temperature.

Sounds kind of scary.  How can I stop this from happening?

Regular checks with your Obstetrician.  GBS, especially early onset GBS, mostly comes from the baby being exposed to it in utero or during labor and the birthing process.  So near the end of your pregnancy they will test you for GBS. It’s also possible to test for GBS once you’re in labor and at the hospital, but it’s better to know beforehand if possible.    

If a mother is known to have GBS or has unknown GBS there are often protocols in place to deal with mother and baby.  These either help reduce the risk – by giving mother IV antibiotics several hours before delivery – or by looking for signs of early infection in the baby.  Usually the baby will be kept for 48 hours after delivery to make sure they are doing well before going home.

Bottom line.

Group B strep (GBS) is a bad infection for infants.  We can reduce the risk of a baby getting it through good prenatal care and attention to GBS status in the hospital.     

Link.

Group B Strep page from the CDC.