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Group B streptococcal septicemia of the newborn

Alternative Names:
Streptococcus agalactiae; Sepsis of the newborn; Lancefield group B streptococcus; Group B streptococcus

Prevention:

The American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have agreed upon two sets of procedures to be followed to decrease the risk of Group B streptococcus disease in infants.

In the first, pregnant women are tested for group B streptococcus at 35 to 37 weeks of pregnancy. Those who show presence of the organism are given intravenous antibiotics during labor.

In the second protocol, prenatal screening is not done, but women are given antibiotics during labor (if they meet certain risk factors).

Both sets of procedures are currently accepted as standard of care. In all cases, proper hand washing by nursery caretakers, visitors, and parents helps prevent transmission after the infant is born.

A high index of suspicion increases the likelihood of an early diagnosis in infants who "don't look quite right." Although early diagnosis is not preventative, it can help decrease the risk of some complications.



Review Date: 7/29/2002
Reviewed By: Adam Ratner, M.D., Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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