Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the most common cause of life threatening infections in newborn babies in the UK. Without preventative medicine, GBS infects around 700 babies each year, of which around 75 will die and 40 survivors suffer long-term problems as a result (Group B Strep Support).

GBS colonises the rectum and lower reproductive tract of 20-30% of women, without symptoms or side-effects, however, GBS can cause infection, most commonly in babies, before, during or shortly after birth. Antenatal treatment does not appear to prevent re-colonisation, so intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis appears to be the most effective method of preventing early onset infection in the neonate. At present, only at risk women are screened (Medforth, Battersby, Evans, Marsh and Walker, 2006).

There are two ways in which the infection will present in the newborn:
90% of the infections are early onset, with 70% of babies being symptomatic at birth
10% are late onset, occuring after 48 hours and up to 3 months after birth. (Medforth et al, 2006)

Early onset GBS presents itself with the rapid development of breathing problems associated with septicaemia. Late onset disease usually presents as GBS meningitis (Anon, 2006).

Symptoms of Early onset GBS:
Grunting
Lethargy
Irritability
Poor Feeding
Tachy or Bradycardia
Low Blood Pressure
Low Blood Sugar
Abnormal Temperature
Abnormal Respiratory Rate
Cyanosis
(Group B Strep Support)

Warning Signs of Late onset GBS include:
Fever
Poor feeding and/or vomiting
Impaired consciousness
(Group B Strep Support)

The pregnant woman being given intravenous antibiotics during labour and delivery can prevent most early onset GBS infections in newborn babies. The risk of late-onset disease is not decreased by antibiotic treatment in labour (Anon, 2006).

Group B Strep Support
Medforth, J., Battersby, S., Evan, M., Marsh, B. and Walker, A. (2006) Oxford Handbook of Midwifery. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

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