7-19-05
Group B Strep Awareness

The most common cause of a life-threatening infection in newborns is preventable, but most pregnant women have never heard of it.

Group B streptococcus is a leading cause of infection in infants, which can lead to long-term disabilities and death. The GBS organism is carried in the female genital track and is passed on to babies during delivery says Dr. Dennis Crouse, professor and director of neonatology at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.

SOUND BITE: "After the membranes rupture during labor, this organism can gain access to the infant in utero or this infant can have this organism get into the respiratory or GI tracks at the time of birth and in some cases, the babies will become infected."

Dr. Crouse says the GBS bacteria is found in the genital and intestinal tracts of adults, but often is not a danger to them. About 30 percent of women who carry the organism do not have symptoms so screening is very important. He explains the screening and treatment for the infection.

SOUND BITE: " . . . the Centers for Disease Control has recommended that women be screened for Group B Strep in the lower genital track at 35 to 37 weeks gestation. And if this organism is present, that they be started on antibiotics when they go into labor and they continue antibiotics until delivery."

Dr. Crouse advises all pregnant women to ask their physician about Group B Strep screening prior to the birth of their baby, so the baby can be protected from the infection.