If your baby has group B streptococcus (GBS)
Group
B streptococcus (GBS) is a bacterial infection that babies can contract from
their mothers during childbirth or in the first months of life. Babies who
contract this infection may have complications such as pneumonia, meningitis,
or a blood poisoning called sepsis.
This
infection is preventable. If you are pregnant and tests show that you have this
type of bacteria, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics during labor to prevent
you from passing the infection on to your baby. And if your child gets sick,
antibiotics can cure the infection.
Causes
GBS bacteria
live in the intestines and genital tract, including the vagina. About 1 in 4
pregnant women are carriers of these bacteria.
The
presence of these bacteria in the body is normal. Usually you won't know you
have them because they won't make you sick. In some cases, they can cause
bladder and urinary tract infections. GBS bacteria are not dangerous to you,
but if you become pregnant, they are dangerous to your baby.
How do babies get it?
If you
are a carrier of GBS bacteria, your baby may become infected during vaginal
delivery. Not all children exposed to GBS will become infected, but a small
percentage may
This
is more likely if:
- You deliver early -- before 37 weeks
- Your water breaks 18 hours or more before you deliver
- You have an infection of the amniotic fluid or placenta
- You've had a baby with group B strep before
- You have a fever higher than 38 C during labor
Babies
can get two types of GBS infections: Early onset begins in the first week of a
newborn's life. Babies get this type at the time of birth. Late onset begins a
week or a few months after the baby is born. This type is not always
transmitted from mother to child.
Symptoms
Babies
who contract this infection may begin to show symptoms within the first few
days of life, or even weeks or months later. You may notice that your baby has:
- Fever
- Fast, slow, or strained breathing
- Trouble eating
- Extreme fatigue
- Irritability
- Blue color to the skin
Babies
with GBS bacteria could get serious complications like these:
- Pneumonia -- a lung infection
- Meningitis -- inflammation in the lining of the brain and spinal cord
- Sepsis -- a blood infection
These
conditions can be life-threatening. They can also lead to long-term problems
such as:
- Hearing loss
- Learning problems
- Cerebral palsy
- Seizures
Diagnostics
Your
doctor may do a urine culture early in your pregnancy to look for GBS bacteria.
You should be tested for this between the 35th and 37th weeks of pregnancy. The
doctor will take a swab from the vagina and rectum and send it to the
laboratory. A positive result means that you are a carrier of this type of
bacteria.
If
your newborn has symptoms of this infection after birth, the doctor may take a
sample of the baby's blood or spinal fluid and send it to a laboratory. The lab
will culture the bacteria to see if the GBS bacteria are growing. This process
can take several days. A chest x-ray can also help doctors diagnose an
infection in infants.
Treatment
If
your child has this infection, treatment will involve giving antibiotics
through a vein.
Your
child may also need treatment to relieve the symptoms of GBS, including:
- Fluids through a vein
- Oxygen
- Medicines to treat other symptoms
Prevention
Researchers
are working on a vaccine that could one day protect mothers and children from
this infection. But he's not ready yet.
If
tests show that you have GBS during pregnancy, your doctor will prescribe
antibiotics at the time of delivery to prevent passing the infection to your
baby.
Penicillin
and ampicillin are two common antibiotics used to treat this infection. If you
are allergic to penicillin, your doctor may prescribe another medicine.
You
should take antibiotics during labor, not before. If you take them early in
your pregnancy, the bacteria may return.
You
won't need to take antibiotics if you had a C-section before your water broke.
Taking
antibiotics during labor will prevent the early onset of GBS infection in your
baby. But this will not reduce the chances of your baby developing a late form.
So pay attention to any possible symptoms your baby may have, especially during
her first month.