Prevention of perinatal group B streptococcal disease in Canada: An update

Revised guidelines for the prevention of early-onset group B streptococ-cal (GBS) infection were recently issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in conjunction with experts from relevant disciplines. These guidelines have been endorsed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The CDC recommends one of two prevention strategies. In one strategy, intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis is offered to women identified as carriers of GBS through prenatal screening at 35 to 37 weeks’ gestation and to women who develop the premature onset of labour or premature rupture of membranes at less than 37 weeks’ gestation. In the other strategy, intrapartum prophylaxis is offered to women who develop one or more risk factors at the onset of labour or membrane rupture. This document summarizes the revised guidelines and compares and contrasts them with the 1994 Canadian consensus guidelines.