GBS and the newborn infant

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is the most common cause of infection in the newborn period. It colonises more mothers and babies than it infects. However when GBS does cause infection, this can be devastating. Infection can be relatively ‘silent’ in the early stages. Prevention in the UK is a much debated issue: in the USA all pregnant mothers are screened for GBS and given antibiotics in labour if GBS is detected. Use of broad spectrum antibiotics in labour has however resulted in the emergence of other resistant bacteria and may contribute to allergy in later life.