Group B Strep infection is the leading infectious killer of newborns. Potentially, it can cause sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis or death in approximately 1 to 2 in 1000 babies.

Guidelines - Canada

The recommendations for the prevention of neonatal Group B Strep disease are undergoing changes. Recommendations may be different depending on the country you are in. In Canada, check with your caregiver to learn what options are available to you. Some provinces do not currently support screening. To read more information on Group B Strep in Canada see this list of Canadian Group B Strep Resources USA/ Canada/ United Kingdom

Canada SOURCE J Soc Obstet Gynaecol Can 1997 Publication number 61 June 1997 National Consensus Statement on the Prevention of Early-Onset Group B Streptococcal Infections in the Newborn Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada Canadian Paediatric Society

Identification and management of women whose newborns might be at increased risk of GBS disease are acceptable by either of two methods: a. Universal screening of all pregnant women at 35 to 37 weeks gestation with a single combined vaginal-anorectal swab and the offer of intrapartum chemoprophylaxis to all GBS-colonized women. b. No universal screening but intrapartum chemoprophylaxis for all women with identified risk factors (Table 2). This strategy should also be used in cases where universal screening is the policy but either was not done or the test results are not available. Risk Factors For Which Intrapartum Chemoprophylaxis is Recommended Pre-term labour (< 37 weeks gestation) Term labour (>= 37 weeks gestation) Prolonged rupture of membranes. Chemoprophylaxis should be given if labour and/or ruptured membranes is likely to continue beyond 18 hours (neonatal benefits are optimally achieved if antibiotics are given at least 4 hours prior to delivery). Maternal fever during labour (>38 deg C orally). Previous delivery of a newborn with GBS disease regardless of current GBS colonization status Previously documented GBS bacteriuria