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Prevention of neonatal group B streptococcus disease in the 21st century
Author(s) -
Clifford Vanessa,
Garland Suzanne M,
Grimwood Keith
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2011.02203.x
Subject(s) - medicine , group b , neonatal sepsis , sepsis , disease , streptococcus , pediatrics , neonatal infection , antibiotic prophylaxis , streptococcus agalactiae , pregnancy , antibiotics , intensive care medicine , immunology , biology , bacteria , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics
There have been significant reductions in early‐onset neonatal group B streptococcus (GBS) disease following implementation of maternal intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) policies. Nevertheless, GBS remains a leading cause of neonatal sepsis in Australia and New Zealand resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality, particularly among preterm infants. In the United States, the universal screening‐based approach for identifying women for IAP results in apparently lower rates of early‐onset neonatal GBS infection than risk‐based assessment. In addition, IAP has altered the profile of newborn infants who develop early‐onset disease. Many affected infants lack the typical intrapartum risk factors for GBS infection, are born to mothers with a negative GBS screen or represent missed opportunities for prevention. Clinicians should remain alert for signs of sepsis in any newborn infant. We provide an update of GBS preventative management strategies in the perinatal period taking into account recent United States, Australian and New Zealand guidelines.