Group B Strep in the News

Group B Strep, also known as beta strep or GBS, is a fairly common bacteria in women. In fact it is estimated that about 25% or more of women carry this bacteria which poses no threat to themselves or their partners. The problem comes during the birth process when the bacteria may be passed on to the baby. The good news is that the Group B Strep infection rates have been falling for babies as the CDC and American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists have instituted screening between weeks 35-37 for pregnant women and then treating colonized women in labor with IV antibiotics. However, a new study shows that a woman who has Group B Strep in one pregnancy is twelve times as likely to have it in a subsequent pregnancy. So their question now is, do they continue to screen every one, every pregnancy? Or do they assume that once you've tested positive you always have it?

Related:

• Group B Strep
• GBS Fact Sheet
• Newborn Screening by State

_Source:

Turrentine M, Ramirez M "Recurrence of group B streptococci colonization in subsequent pregnancy" Obstet Gyncecol 2008; 112: 259-264.