Group B streptococcal (group B strep) infection is a severe bacterial infection that affects newborns. This bacteria normally resides in the intestine, vagina and rectum. A pregnant woman can pass the bacteria on to her baby during delivery. Some women are carriers of the bacteria which means they carry the bacteria but do not develop any illness from it.
 

 
Newborns develop the group B streptococcal infection hours after birth or during the first week of life or even months later. Babies who develop the infection within the first week of life are usually infected  by their mothers. It is not clear how some babies develop it later in life.

What are the symptoms of group B streptococcal infection ?

 
Symptoms of this infection in newborns include the following :

• high or low body temperature
• trouble feeding
• irritability
• raised respiratory rate

 
The newborn may also develop sepsis which is a blood infection  or pneumonia. Meningitis may also occur. Newborns  infected with this bacteria need immediate medical care because this infection can be fatal.

How is group B streptococcal infection diagnosed ?

 
Pregnant women get tested for this infection in the third trimester of pregnancy. Babies who are suspected to be infected are diagnosed at birth by testing their spinal fluid or blood or both the for  bacteria.

How is it treated ?

 
Pregnant women who have the infection or who are carriers are tested  and  given antibiotics  before delivery to prevent the transmission of the bacteria to the newborn during birth. If a pregnant woman had previously given birth to a child with this infection or have had tests that show she is a carrier, she will be treated with antibiotics.

Newborns with this infections are also given antibiotics as well as supportive care including fluids and ventilation if needed. Sometimes a doctor will start treating a baby suspected to have group B streptococcal infection even before tests confirms that he has it. This is because this infection can be fatal.

You should note that having a baby by cesarean section doesn’t prevent the transmission the group B strep bacteria.
 
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