Group B streptococcus (GBS)

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