Group B streptococcus

Question 1

what is it the most common cause of?

Answer 1

most common cause of early-onset severe infection in the neonatal period

Question 2

when are infants exposed to GBS?

Answer 2

during labour

Question 3

risk factors

Answer 3

prematurity
prolonged rupture of the membranes
previous sibling GBS infection
maternal pyrexia e.g. secondary to chorioamnionitis

Question 4

Mx

Answer 4

1. universal screening for not all women
2. Intrapartum abx prophylaxis at women who have had abs detected in a previous pregnancy
3. GBS swabs at 35-37 or 3-5 weeks prior to delivery date if required

Question 5

which abx is recommended for prophylaxis

Answer 5

benzylpenicillin is the antibiotic of choice for GBS prophylaxis

Question 6

in whom should abx prophylaxis be offered

Answer 6

women with a previous baby with early- or late-onset GBS disease

women in preterm labour regardless of their GBS status

women with a pyrexia during labour (>38ºC)

3Ps - previous, preterm, pyrexia