Group B Strep Awareness

Articles

Jul 2

The month of July is dedicated to group B strep awareness. During this month, advocates aim to increase awareness about this disorder in an effort to allow individuals to share their experience. The goal is to promote education about group B strep to help promote healthy outcomes for families. One in four women carry group B strep while pregnant. Babies in utero can be infected by it which can cause miscarriage, premature birth, and many other devastating outcomes. Although there is not a vaccine currently available yet, there are many ways expecting mothers can prevent their baby from contracting group B strep.

What is Group B Strep?

Naturally and commonly found in the digestive system, group B strep occurs in both men and women. The bacteria which indicates group B strep can occur naturally without transmission from another individual, or it can be passed from one individual to another orally. For adults, group B strep is harmless in most cases, but can cause serious infection for individuals who suffer from ailments such as diabetes or liver disease. For older adults, group B strep can present a higher risk of illness. Generally, concern of group B strep is related to pregnancy, as babies can be receptive to the bacteria and develop serious illness.

Pregnant women should be regularly screened for group B strep. It can be present in different stages, including prenatal onset, early-onset, and late-onset. If group B strep is detected prior to delivery, it is considered to be in the prenatal onset stage. After birth and for the first week of life, babies with group B strep are in the early-onset stage. The late-onset stage of group B strep occurs after one week of age and through three to six month. The stage at which group B strep is detected will indicate the prevention plan or treatment plan.

Signs of Group B Strep Infection

Exposure to group B strep does not necessarily mean infection. Some babies are exposed but do not become infected. Conversely, babies can be born with group B strep infections even when the mother has tested negative. During the prenatal stage, signs that group B strep may be present are things like significantly decreasing or suddenly increasing fetal movement after 20 weeks. Mothers who experience a fever could also indicate the presence of group B strep. After a baby is born, indications that would warrant immediate medical attention related to group B strep are sudden changes in temperature, noises, overall behavior, eating habits, sleeping habits, lack of energy, or breathing abilities. Changes to the color of a baby’s skin can also indicate that something is wrong.

Testing for Group B Strep

All pregnant women should be tested for group B strep, generally during their third trimester. Although the bacteria of group B strep is typically present in the digestive tract, its presence in the body during pregnancy can create additional problems. Testing is not only necessary during a woman’s first pregnancy, but any and all pregnancies, as it can occur during any pregnancy. Generally, if a negative test is received, there is no action to take. However, if a positive test occurs, expecting mothers are typically given antibiotics during labor and delivery.

Complications of Group B Strep Infection

Women who carry the bacteria which causes group B strep typically will not experience health complications for themselves, although things like pneumonia, urinary tract infection, or infection of the placenta can occur. Babies have much higher risk of complication if group B strep exists. Its presence can lead to the baby developing pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis (infection of the blood), or bacteria in the blood. All of these complications can be life-threatening for a baby at any stage of the illness and in some cases result in miscarriage or stillbirth.

Preventing and Protecting Against Group B Strep

The only stage at which there are any methods of prevention or protection against group B strep is during the early-onset stage. In most cases, treatment with IV antibiotics will occur during labor and delivery as the infection may pass to the baby during vaginal delivery. If an expecting mother tests positive for group B strep, they may receive antibiotic treatment during the pregnancy, but that is not a common occurrence. C-sections may be recommended for some individuals, although it is not a guarantee that transmission of the bacterial will not be prevented, so it is important to talk to your healthcare professionals about receiving antibiotic treatment beforehand.

Some babies who recover after group B strep infection or exposure will have no long term effects from the bacteria. Other cases of more severe infection may require monitoring or treatment for neurological impairment such as cerebral palsy, vision or hearing loss, or developmental disorders.

For children who experience developmental delay following recovery from group B strep, occupational or speech therapy may be recommended. Occupational or speech therapists can work with children to assist them in reaching their maximum level of ability and independence. If your child has indications of developmental delay, talk to the team at Tilton’s Therapy to get started. Our therapists work in the mobile setting, meaning they come to your home and treat in the natural environment for the most optimal outcome.

Learn more about developmental disorders and other considerations for parents with children in all stages of life. Our resources provide educational material as well as developmental activities to target the goals you have for your children.