Group B strep fact sheet

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is an infection that has serious but preventable effects on newborn babies.

The information contained in this fact sheet has been reproduced by kind permission of Group B Strep Support What is GBS? What should I know about GBS? Who is most at risk of GBS infection? How can most GBS infection in babies be prevented? GBS infection in babies Signs of GBS infection in new born babies What else do I need to know? Can I find out if I carry GBS? What should I do next? What is GBS?
Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a common type of the streptococcus bacterium. Approximately a third of men and women 'carry' GBS in their intestines and a quarter of women carry it in their vagina. Most of us are unaware it's there, as GBS carried in this way can be difficult to detect and doesn't cause problems or symptoms. GBS is one of a number of different bacteria that normally live in our bodies and carrying it is perfectly normal. Once GBS has 'colonised' the intestines, no antibiotics tested so far can reliably eradicate it.

What should I know about GBS?
Although GBS is the most common cause of bacterial infection in newborn babies in the UK, this happens relatively rarely. Around one in 1,000 babies in the UK develops a GBS infection, which is about 700 babies a year.

Babies are usually exposed to GBS shortly before or during birth. This happens to thousands of babies with no ill effects: just why some babies are susceptible to the bacteria and develop infection while others don't is not clear. What is clear is that most GBS infection in newborn babies can be prevented by giving women in high-risk situations antibiotics intravenously (through a vein) from the onset of labour or waters breaking until the baby is born.

Oral antibiotics given prior to delivery have not been shown to be effective at preventing GBS infections in babies. Nor are Caesareans recommended to prevent GBS infection in babies since GBS infections can still occur in babies born by Caesarean section:There are significant risks associated with a Caesarean sectionThe recommended intravenous antibiotics during labour are highly effectiveVery occasionally GBS causes infection of the 'waters', womb or urinary tract in mothers of newborn babies

Who is most at risk of GBS infection?
There are seven situations where a baby is more likely to be exposed to GBS and, if susceptible, to develop GBS infection. Giving pregnant women in the seven situations listed below intravenous antibiotics at regular intervals from the start of labour or waters breaking through to delivery has been shown to be effective in stopping most GBS infection in newborn babies.