What are the strategies to decrease Group B Streptococcus infection of babies?
A simple laboratory test for the presence of the bacteria (or carriage of the bacteria) in pregnant women can be done at 35 weeks. For women found to be carriers, antibiotic treatment can be given to the mother at delivery to prevent infection to the newborn.Other alternative strategies to decrease Group B Streptococcus infection of babies do not involve screening pregnant women for carriage of the bacteria. Instead if certain risk factors are present during delivery, antibiotics are given to the mother to prevent infection to the newborn baby.It remains unclear which of these two strategies is the most effective. Pregnant women should discuss Group B Streptococcus and the associated risks to their pregnancy with their obstetrician and/or general practitioner (GP).
