Group B streptococcus (GBS)

Definition

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacterial infection that can be found in a pregnant woman’s vagina or rectum. This bacteria is normally harmless to adults but can cause serious illness in newborns if passed during childbirth. Screening for GBS is usually performed during pregnancy to prevent transmission to the baby.

Key Takeaways

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacterial infection that can be found in a pregnant woman’s vagina or rectum. This bacteria is normally harmless in healthy adults but can cause serious illness in newborns.
GBS can potentially be transmitted to the baby during childbirth. Screening for Group B strep is typically performed between weeks 35 and 37 of pregnancy. If tests come back positive, antibiotics are usually given during labor to prevent transmission.
Most GBS-infected newborns do not have major complications, but in severe cases, it can cause sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis, or even stillbirth. Therefore, it is significant for expectant mothers to get tested and treated if necessary.

Importance

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacterial infection that can be found in a pregnant woman’s vagina or rectum and is significant in motherhood due to its potential to affect the baby during pregnancy and after birth.

If transmitted to the baby during labor and delivery, it can cause serious illnesses such as pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis.

Furthermore, GBS infection in a mother can trigger other complications like preterm labor, infection of the placental tissues, and urinary tract infections.

Therefore, routine screening for GBS in pregnant women and appropriate antibiotic treatment are essential measures to prevent these risks to both mother and baby.

Explanation

Group B streptococcus (GBS), also known as Streptococcus agalactiae, is a common bacterium often carried in the body that doesn’t necessarily cause illness. In terms of motherhood, the relevance of GBS arises primarily during pregnancy and childbirth.

Even though GBS is usually harmless in adults, it can possibly cause considerable complications during pregnancy, including miscarriages, premature delivery, and even life-threatening infections such as sepsis or meningitis in newborns. The purpose of testing for GBS in pregnant women – typically done in the last trimester between weeks 35 and 37 – is to determine if the mother is a carrier of the bacteria.

If found positive, the mother can be administered antibiotics during delivery to prevent the transmission of the bacteria to the newborn. This reduces the risk of the newborn developing severe GBS disease, which may manifest as symptoms such as difficulty feeding, irritability, fever, and in the most extreme cases, can lead to pneumonia, meningitis, or a potentially serious blood infection known as sepsis.

Hence, monitoring and managing Group B streptococcus in pregnancy plays a vital role in ensuring a safe outcome for both mother and child.

Examples of Group B streptococcus (GBS)

Real World Example 1: A 30-year-old woman named Jane was pregnant with her second child. During her prenatal examination, she was screened for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) which came back positive. This meant that Jane was a carrier of GBS. Even though she felt fine herself and had no symptoms, it was crucial that she received antibiotics during labor to prevent transmitting the bacteria to her newborn, which could potentially cause serious health problems like pneumonia, meningitis or a blood infection to the baby.

Real World Example 2: Emily was a first-time mom who wasn’t familiar with GBS. In her later stages of pregnancy, her obstetrician informed her about GBS and asked if she would like to be screened for it. Emily agreed and the test came back positive. As a result, a plan was made to administer antibiotics during delivery to prevent any potential infection to the baby.

Real World Example 3: In a neonatal intensive care unit, baby Noah was diagnosed with a severe GBS infection shortly after his birth. His mother hadn’t been tested for Group B Streptococcus during her pregnancy. The baby was given antibiotics to fight the infection and was monitored very closely. This example emphasises the importance of testing for GBS in pregnant women, even if they show no signs or symptoms of having the bacteria.

FAQs on Group B Streptococcus (GBS)

What is Group B Streptococcus (GBS)?

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacteria that can be found in the digestive tract or lower genital tract of healthy adults, particularly women. Although GBS is usually harmless in adults, it can be dangerous for newborns.

How can GBS affect my pregnancy?

Most women with GBS carry the bacteria without any symptoms. However, it can sometimes cause urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections or pneumonia, which could potentially lead to preterm labor. It’s also possible to pass the bacteria to your baby during birth, which can cause serious health problems for the newborn.

How is GBS testing done?

GBS testing is done through a simple and painless swab test during the 35th to 37th week of pregnancy. The swab is taken from the lower vaginal area and anus. This sample is then sent to a laboratory to test for the presence of GBS bacteria.

What happens if I test positive for GBS?

If you test positive for GBS, it means you carry the bacteria. It does not mean that you have an illness or that your baby will be harmed. However, during labor and delivery, you will be given antibiotics which greatly reduce your baby’s risk of getting GBS disease.

Can GBS be prevented?

Since GBS is a common bacteria that many people carry without symptoms, it’s not possible to completely prevent getting it. However, through routine testing and treatment during labor, the risk of a newborn developing a GBS disease can be greatly reduced.

Related Motherhood Terms

Pregnancy
Antibiotics during labor
GBS colonization
Newborn infections
Prenatal screening