Group B Strep
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GENERAL INFORMATION:
What is a Group B strep infection?
- Group B strep infection is a condition caused by a bacteria (germ) called Group B streptococcus (GBS). GBS is normally found in the digestive organs or vagina. A person may colonize (carry) GBS but does not get infected and become sick. GBS lives inside the body, along with many other bacteria that are harmless to most people. It is not easily passed on in adults and may not need treatment.
- GBS infection rarely causes serious problems in adults, but can be life-threatening to babies. Babies can get infected during, or shortly after birth. Your baby may also become sick if he had contact with a person infected with GBS. In adults, GBS usually affects pregnant women, the elderly, and those with other diseases, such as diabetes or cancer. Pregnant women may have preterm (early) delivery, stillbirth, or infections of the womb or urinary bladder. GBS may also cause infections in the blood, lungs or skin in adults.
- With treatment, including antibiotic medicines, your child may make a complete recovery.
What are the signs and symptoms of a GBS infection in babies? GBS infection in babies may be grouped into early-onset and late-onset GBS infection. Early-onset GBS infection occurs within the first week of life, usually within 72 hours of birth. Late-onset GBS infection commonly appears after the first week of birth. Babies with GBS usually present with sepsis (blood infection), pneumonia, or meningitis (infection of the membranes around the brain). Your baby may have one or more of the following signs and symptoms:
- Eating or drinking poorly, or vomiting (throwing up).
- Fast or slow heartbeat, and trouble breathing.
- Fever, hypothermia (very low body temperature), or seizures (convulsions).
- Irritable, drowsy, or hard to wake up.
- Low blood pressure or low blood sugar.
- Turns away from bright lights.
- Tense or bulging fontanel (soft spot on the top of his head).
How is a GBS infection diagnosed in babies? Your baby may have one or more of the following:
- Blood tests: Your child may need blood taken for tests. The blood may be taken from your child's arm, hand, finger, foot, heel, or IV. Blood tests can give caregivers more information about your child's health condition. Your child may need to have blood drawn more than once.
- Chest x-ray: This is a picture of your child's lungs and heart. Caregivers use it to see how your child's lungs and heart are doing. Caregivers may use the x-ray to look for signs of infection (such as pneumonia) or other problems.
- Lumbar puncture: This procedure may also be called a spinal tap. A small needle is placed into your child's lower back. Fluid will be removed from around your child's spinal cord and sent to the lab for tests. The test is done to check for bleeding around your child's brain and spinal cord, and for infection. This procedure may also be done to take pressure off your child's brain and spinal cord, or to give medicine. Your child may need to be held in place so that he does not move during the procedure.
How is a GBS infection treated in babies? Your baby may need to stay in the hospital for close watching. Antibiotic medicines are usually needed to treat GBS infection in babies.
What could have increased my baby's risk of having GBS infection? Babies are more likely to be infected with GBS if the mother had any of the following:
- Bag of water that breaks before the 37th week of pregnancy.
- Fever during labor.
- GBS infection during pregnancy.
- Given birth to a baby with GBS infection.
- Positive culture for GBS colonization.
- Preterm labor.
What problems can GBS infection cause to babies? GBS infection may cause the following medical problems:
- Blindness or other eye problems.
- Hearing loss.
- Learning problems.
- Coma.
- Death.
How can I decrease the risk of my baby having GBS infection? Screening tests for GBS in mothers may be done during the 35th to 37th weeks of pregnancy. A sample from your vagina or rectum may be taken to check if you carry GBS. You may be given antibiotic medicines if you were found to carry the bacteria. The medicine will be given during your labor and delivery to prevent you from passing GBS. Ask your caregiver for more information about receiving antibiotic medicines during pregnancy.
Where can I get support and more information? Accepting that your baby has group B strep infection may be hard. You, your family, and those close to you may feel scared, sad, or angry. These are normal feelings. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings.
You may also want to join a support group. This is a group of people who had group B strep infections. Ask your caregiver for the names and numbers of support groups. You may also want to contact the following for more information:- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Infectious Diseases
Phone: 1-888-4437232
Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/
- National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases
NIAID Office of Communications & Public Liaison
6610 Rockledge Drive, MSC 6612
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-6612
Phone: 1-301-496-5717
Web Address: www3.niaid.nih.gov
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your child's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat your child.
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