Group B streptococcus disease in neonates: to screen or not to screen?

An audit was undertaken of the prevention of early-onset Group B streptococcus (EOGBS) disease in neonates. The prevention strategy in use involved offering Intra-partum Antibiotic Prophylaxis (IAP) to mothers with identified risk factors, which include maternal fever in labour > 38 degrees C, previous baby with GBS disease, prolonged rupture of membranes > 18 h, pre-term labour, GBS urinary tract infection and known GBS carriage. The most common risk factor identified was GBS carriage (41%) which was known ante-partum but logistical problems prevented these mothers from receiving adequate prophylaxis 4 h before delivery and so were classified as at risk of GBS disease. We found an incidence of GBS in our unit of 0.55 per 1,000 births over the study period. One neonate developed EOGBS disease and the mother had no identifiable risk factor ante-partum/intra-partum. Recent recommendations from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) could reduce the number of babies having sepsis screens performed as the time interval from beginning IAP to delivery has been shortened to 2 h and routine surface cultures or blood cultures are not recommended in well newborns. The evidence is lacking at this point to recommend universal screening for GBS in all pregnant women but patients are increasingly aware of this option and may request anogenital swabs to assess GBS carriage.