Group B Streptococcus Infection in Newborn

Group B Streptococcus Infection in Newborn

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacteria that is often found in the vagina and rectum of healthy women. GBS can be passed from a mother to her newborn during labor. In some cases, babies who are exposed to GBS during labor can develop serious infections and illnesses.

A GBS infection may develop several days to several weeks after birth, and it can result in one or more of these infections:

• Blood infection (septicemia).
• Lung infection (pneumonia).
• Infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).

What are the causes?

GBS infection is caused by Streptococcus agalactiaebacteria. These bacteria can cause an infection in a baby if:

• The bacteria are passed from a mother to her baby during labor.
• An infected person has contact with the baby.

What increases the risk?

This condition is more likely to develop when:

• The mother tests positive for GBS bacteria (colonization) late in pregnancy (35–37 weeks).
• The baby is born early (prematurelyor preterm).
• The mother’s water breaks more than 18 hours before birth.
• The mother has a fever during labor.
• The mother previously had a child with the GBS infection.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition depend on where the infection is located. The most common symptoms include:

• Grunting when breathing.
• Rapid or difficult breathing.
• Periods when breathing stops temporarily (apnea).
• Poor feeding ability.
• Little movement or no movements.
• “Floppy” arms, legs, or head (poor muscle tone).
• High or low body temperature.
• Vomiting.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed by testing samples of your baby’s blood, urine, or spinal fluid to check for GBS bacteria. Your baby may have chest X-rays to check for pneumonia.

How is this treated?

Your baby will be monitored closely in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Treatment varies based on:

• Where the infection is located in your baby’s body.
• Whether your baby has complications, such as pneumonia or meningitis.

This condition is treated with antibiotic medicines given through an IV tube that is inserted into one of your baby’s veins. Treatment may also include:

• Giving your baby fluids through an IV tube. This may be needed if your baby has difficulty feeding.
• Helping your baby to breathe. This may be done with:
  • An oxygen hood. This is a clear tent that covers your baby and provides air that has more oxygen than normal air.
  • A tube inserted into your baby’s nostrils to deliver oxygen straight into the nostrils (nasal cannula).
  • A machine that helps to move air in and out of the lungs (ventilator).

Follow these instructions at home:

• Give your baby over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your baby’s health care provider.
• Give your baby antibiotic medicine as told by your baby’s health care provider. Do notstop giving the antibiotic even if your baby seems to be feeling better.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your baby’s health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your baby is more restless, sleepy, or irritable than usual.
• Your baby has a poor appetite or is not interested in eating.
• Your baby develops a rash.
• Your baby has fewer wet diapers than usual.

Get help right away if:

• Your baby has a fever or a low body temperature.
• Your baby has difficulty breathing.
• Your baby becomes pale or blue in color.
• You are not able to wake up your baby.
• Your baby’s arms or legs become “floppy.”