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"Group B Strep"

What is "Group B Strep"?

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common form of the Streptococcus bacterium and since the 1970s has been the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborns in the UK. Around one in a thousand babies up to the age of three months are infected with GBS - that's seven hundred each year, one hundred of whom will die as a result. A third of adults carry Group B Strep in their intestines without ever knowing it and a quarter of all women have it in their Vagina. Much like thrush, it's usually totally harmless but you can't get rid of it.

Unfortunately, there is no accurate test for GBS in the UK - the available tests often only pick up 50% of those people that carry GBS. Even a positive result isn't an indication that your baby will contract GBS, only that you're a carrier (Many people are) and there is an increased risk that your baby might get GBS. Generally, a later test is better (At 37/38 weeks) as there is a lower risk that you might become infected with GBS after the test without knowing it.

Group B Strep is related to Group A Strep, but they cause different symptoms. Group A Strep is usually associated with "Strep throat" and Scarlet Fever and is much less serious than Group B Strep.

What should I look for?

There are two forms of GBS - "early-onset" and "late-onset". Early-onset is the most common - accounting for nearly 80% of cases - and the most dangerous. Fortunately, early-onset GBS babies often show symptoms immediately after being born and always within two days and a paediatrician should spot these symptoms particularly if you are known to be at high risk. Obvious symptoms include:

Late onset GBS is much less common - around 70 cases a year in the UK. It can result in Meningitis and the symptoms to look for are similar. As with all forms of Meningitis, early treatment is essential. If you're in any doubt at all you should call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or dial 999. Symptoms include:

How can it harm my baby?

Babies can catch GBS during labour or after your waters have broken by swallowing infected fluids. They may also catch GBS during pregnancy which could result in stillbirth or miscarriage - although even if you are a GBS carrier any problems are likely to have been caused by other factors rather than Group B Strep.

Group B Strep can cause blood poisoning, meningitis and pneumonia which can be fatal if not treated. This happens in about 15% of cases of GBS but early treatment greatly reduces the chances of this.

As well as more severe risks, Meningitis caused by Group B Strep can result in long term disability in a baby. This is rare in early-onset GBS, but a third of late-onset babies can suffer mental disability, blindness, deafness and lung problems.

Is my baby at risk?

If you've already had a baby that has had GBS then you're in the highest risk category by far. However, even then a second or subsequent baby only has a one in a hundred chance of contracting GBS if nothing is done. If you've tested positive for GBS at some point during your pregnancy, there is also a significant but lesser increased risk.

Other risk factors are early labour, (Before term - 37 weeks) waters breaking early (Again, before 37 weeks) or your waters breaking more than 18-24 hours before giving birth.

What can be done?

If you are known to be at high risk, antibiotics (Penicillin or Clindamycin) can be given to you during labour to reduce the risk of your baby being infected with GBS - this has a 60% chance of stopping your baby developing GBS in the first place. If that isn't possible for some reason, for example you have a very short labour, Antibiotics can also be given to your baby after birth. However, as with all drugs, there is a small risk of a reaction to the drugs themselves so these are not given except in cases of higher risk.

Contrary to some rumours, a Caesarian Section does not significantly decrease the risk of Group B Strep infection and the risk of other complications is much greater so this isn't recommended.

Where can I find out more?

Group B Strep Support, a registered charity.