How the bacterial infection Step B affects pregnancy and symptoms explained - iNews

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Group B Strep is a common bacteria that is generally harmless and symptomless but, on rare occasions, it can cause a serious bacterial infection in newborn babies.

It is a type of streptococcal bacteria that lives in 20 per cent of all women's vaginas and guts as part of the "normal flora", according to Dr Kate Walker, Clinical Associate Professor in Obstetrics at the University of Nottingham.

The only time when Group B Strep (GBS) can cause harm is during pregnancy, as the bacteria can pass from the mother to the baby during the birth process. Most babies with a GBS infection make a full recovery but some develop serious conditions such as sepsis or meningitis which can lead to life-long complications and even death.

How does Group B Strep affect pregnancy?

The UK currently prevents GBS by assessing a range of risk factors to determine whether a woman should be offered intravenous antibiotics during labour to prevent the infection from passing to the baby.

According to Dr Walker, this prevents 90 per cent of infections for those with risk factors. However, the system is "imperfect" as 71 per cent of women with risk factors don't carry the bacteria, while 17 per cent of women without risk factors do carry GBS and don't get antibiotics.

Pregnant women can also choose to take an Enriched Culture Medium swab test when they are between 35 and 37 weeks to detect whether they are carrying the bacteria. Currently, patients can only access the tests privately for around £40.

If they are positive for GBS, they will be offered intravenous antibiotics during labour to reduce the risk of their baby developing an infection by up to 91 per cent, according to charity Group B Strep Support.

Other high-income developed countries such as the United States, Canada, Germany, France and Spain routinely test all pregnant women for GBS.

Dr Walker is currently working on a large-scale clinical trial to compare the lab-based preventative test with the risk factor method currently in place in the UK.

Parents are calling for routine preventative testing that would cost the NHS just £11 per test according to campaigners. Medics estimate the price to be a little higher at £15 to £20 per test.

But critics of routine preventative testing argue that too many women would be given antibiotics in labour which comes with risks such as anaphylaxis in the mother and anti-microbial resistance.

Dr Kate Walker said the NHS should be providing all pregnant women with information about Group B Strep, which was jointly produced by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Group B Strep Support.

However, parents recently told i that they had never heard of GBS until their babies became infected with the bacteria.

More from Health

How common is Group B Strep?

An average of two babies in the UK develop a GBS infection each day, according to GBS Support.

Most recover fully but one baby each week dies from the infection, and one baby each week recovers with a life-changing disability.

Around 800 babies a year develop Group B Strep infection, around 50 babies will die and 75 will survive with a long-term disability.

GBS can cause sepsis, pneumonia and/or meningitis which can leave babies with a range of physical or mental disabilities.

What are the symptoms?

The NHS advises parents to dial 999 or go to A&E if a baby develops the following symptoms:

  • Being floppy or unresponsive
  • Grunting when breathing, or working hard to breathe when you look at their chest or stomach
  • Very fast or slow breathing
  • A very fast or slow heart rate
  • An unusually high or low temperature
  • Changes in their skin colour or blotchy skin
  • Not feeding well or vomiting
  • An unusually fast or slow heart rate

Most early-onset infections show within the first 12 hours of birth but can develop up to seven days after.

Late-onset infections are much rarer but can develop up to three months after birth.

Early-onset infection is thought to be due to the transfer of the bacteria during the process of birth, whereas the bacteria for late-onset infections can be acquired after birth.

What is the treatment?

If a baby tests positive for GBS, they will be given intravenous antibiotics. The majority of babies can be effectively treated with penicillin.

Some will require treatment from a specialist neonatal intensive care unit.

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