Following the publication of its final audit, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists made a number of recommendations to tackle the risk posed by Group B Strep and has highlighted the need for improved guidelines.
Following the publication of its final audit, the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG) made a number of recommendations to tackle the risk posed by Group B Streptococcal disease and has highlighted the need for improved guidelines.
Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a bacteria that occurs naturally in the digestive system and lower vaginal tract of around a quarter of women at any one time and normally causes no harm. For pregnant women who carry GBS, the bacteria can be passed to their baby during labour.
Most babies experience no effect – but it can cause illness in a small proportion of cases. Infection in the first six days of life is called early onset disease (EOGBS) and around 350-400 babies will develop the condition each year. The infection can cause sepsis, meningitis and pneumonia; according to figures, cited by the RCOG, around 25 babies will suffer a long-term disability as a result of GBS and 40 babies will not survive.
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