GBS is a type of bacteria that can be found in the vagina and lower intestine. About one in five women carry this bacterium. Being a carrier does not mean you have an infection.  GBS carriers can continue to breastfeed. Breastfeeding helps protect baby against infections.

GBS is a type of bacteria that can be found in the vagina and lower intestine. About one in five women carry this bacterium. Being a carrier does not mean you have an infection.  GBS carriers can continue to breastfeed. Breastfeeding helps protect baby against infections.

Risk  of GBS

Babies can be exposed to GBS during labor or during birth. This happens when the membranes break thus exposing the baby to the GBS in the birth canal during vaginal delivery. Rarely, GBS may cross intact membranes to colonise the baby while it is still in the womb.

The vast majority of the babies (98 to 99%) suffer no ill effects. However, one to two percent of these babies may develop serious infections ;who survive may develop long-term disabilities. With  appropriate and timely treatment, baby outcomes are generally good.

Babies with the following are at higher risk:

• Premature infants born before 37 weeks of pregnancy
• GBS infection in an older sibling
• High fever in the mother during labour
• Prolonged rupture of membranes especially if more than 18 hours have passed between the waters breaking and the baby being born

Risk Reduction of GBS in newborns

Mothers tested positive for GBS during pregnancy or have had a previous baby with GBS infection should receive antibiotics during labour. If there is a urine infection due to GBS, it should be treated promptly, and antibiotics should also be given during labour even if the urine infection has cleared.

Penicillin is the antibiotic of choice. For women allergic to penicillin, a suitable alternative such as clindamycin will be used. In women who have a planned caesarean birth, it may not be necessary to give antibiotics during delivery if the water bag is intact.

Symptoms and signs of GBS infection

GBS can infect babies both in the newborn period and after hospital discharge.

Early onset of GBS infection occurs in baby younger than one week old and most of them showed symptoms within 12 to 24 hours of birth, while late-onset GBS infection occurs in babies one week through three months old.

Following delivery in the hospital, the baby will be monitored closely for signs and symptoms of early-onset GBS infection. This will include assessing your baby’s general wellbeing, heart rate, temperature, breathing and feeding. Baby may need to be closely monitored in the hospital up to 48 hours (and beyond) if your baby is found to have significant risk for infection.

Tests

Blood tests will be done if a newborn baby is suspected to have GBS infection. Depending on the baby’s signs and symptoms, additional tests such as a chest X-ray or a sample of fluid from around the baby’s spinal cord (a lumbar puncture) are needed to check for lung and brain infection (meningitis) respectively.

Treatment

Babies with signs suggestive of GBS infection will be treated with intravenous antibiotics. This is important as the infection can spread rapidly and the baby’s condition may deteriorate.

Babies who develop GBS infection will need intravenous antibiotics for at least 10 to 14 days. This may extend to 21 days if there is meningitis.