Group B Strep is an infection that most mums never hear about, but 700 newborn babies every year get seriously ill because of it.
Around 1 in 1000 babies born in the UK picks up a group B Strep infection - roughly the same number as are affected by Down's Syndrome and spina bifida, both of which pregnant women are told about and offered a screening test for.
In fact, in a recent magazine survey, 9 out of 10 women hadn't heard of group B Strep. Find out more...
- What is group B Strep?
- More FAQs about group B Strep
- Treatment for group B Strep
- Facts and figures about group B Strep
Group B Strep (GBS) is a type of bacteria carried by 1 in 3 of all adults in their intestines, and up to 1 out of 4 women carry GBS in their vagina.
Most people who carry GBS aren't aware of it, as carrying it causes no symptoms.
If a pregnant woman is carrying GBS, her baby may be exposed to the bacteria around labour and delivery. For most babies this causes no problems, for others it can be deadly; causing meningitis, pneumonia and blood poisoning.
Every year in the UK, without medical prevention 700 newborn babies become seriously ill as a result of GBS infection. 75 of these sick babies die and 40 are left with permanent problems.
Giving antibiotics during labour to women at higher risk of passing on the bacteria would prevent more than 80% of GBS infections in newborn babies.
Group B Strep carriage can come and go - a sensitive swab test at 35-37 weeks will give the best idea as to whether a woman will be carrying GBS at delivery.
The NHS does not routinely test for GBS, and when it does, the swab test normally used gives falsely negative results to up to half the women carrying GBS.
A more reliable test, called an Enriched Culture Medium (ECM) test, is only available in a few NHS hospitals, although it is available privately. Contact the charity, Group B Strep Support for more information.
Through skin-to-skin contact or close physical contact. GBS is not a sexually transmitted disease, carrying it causes no symptoms, and it doesn't need treatment. It's normal.
If no preventative measures are taken, the risk of GBS infection in newborn babies is:
Recent UK research has suggested GBS infection in newborn babies could be as high as 3.6 per 1,000.
If a woman who carries GBS is given antibiotics in line with recommendations, the risk is far lower:
If you have had any positive GBS test result during the current pregnancy, you should be offered a drip containing antibiotics once labour starts and at intervals until the baby's delivered. If GBS was found in a urine sample, oral antibiotics will be prescribed at the time, and again if you are offered an antibiotic drip when you're in labour.
The estimated risks for penicillin are:
It is very important that you tell your nurse, doctor or midwife, if you have ever suffered any reaction to any antibiotic.
Anaphylaxis in the mother can also cause severe complications in the unborn baby.
Pregnant women need to weigh up the risks and potential benefits, and consider when they might want to have antibiotics.
Not necessarily. And Caesareans carry significant risks, while the recommended antibiotics via drip are both low risk and highly effective. Caesareans are not recommended as a way of preventing group B Strep in babies.
- Contact Group B Strep support or call 01444 416176 for more information on GBS and testing in pregnancy
- Twenty ways to have an easier labour
- Tests during pregnancy: what should you have?