Babies are most vulnerable to infections in their first few months of life, so it’s important to protect them from viruses and bacteria. The most common cause of serious infections in newborns – group B strep (GBS) – is preventable. All pregnant women should be tested for GBS bacteria late in their pregnancy to make sure that they don’t pass it on to their baby during delivery.

Group B Strep (GBS)

GBS is commonly found in people’s gastrointestinal and genital tracts. In healthy adults, GBS is usually harmless. But mothers can pass the infection on to their baby during childbirth.

And for newborn babies, GBS causes a serious illness. Newborn babies with GBS disease usually have signs in the first 24 hours after birth. These signs may include:

• Being fussy and very sleepy and having breathing problems (signs of sepsis)
• Breathing fast and making grunting noises (signs of pneumonia)
• Having breathing problems and periods of not breathing (signs of meningitis)
• Having a change in blood pressure
• Having convulsions (seizure)

Babies who get GBS disease a week or so after birth may have signs such as:

• Decreased movement of an arm or leg
• Pain with movement of an arm or leg
• Breathing problems
• Fever
• Red area on the face or other part of the body

Newborn babies who are ill with GBS infection may need care in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU). They are usually given IV (intravenous) antibiotics. The baby may need other treatments if the infection is severe or if they have meningitis or pneumonia.

Preventing GBS Disease

The best way to prevent GBS disease during the baby’s first week of life is to give antibiotics during labor to women at increased risk, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Everyone should be tested for GBS in late pregnancy as part of routine prenatal care so that healthcare providers can be prepared to administer antibiotics during labor if the mother has GBS.

The antibiotics help protect babies from infection, but only if given during labor. Antibiotics cannot be given before labor begins because the bacteria can grow back quickly.

Antibiotics are administered by IV (through the vein). Beta-lactams such as penicillin and ampicillin are the type of antibiotic prescribed the most during labor to prevent GBS disease. However, healthcare providers can give other antibiotics to women who are severely allergic to these antibiotics.

For more information about GBS, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s page on group B strep disease.

Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The StayWell Company, LLC