Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 28, 2026

A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization
10:19

A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization

Published on: November 16, 2016

13.8K

Effectiveness of a prematurity-based protocol for management of infants born to mothers with Group B Streptococcus

A A Zuppa1, G Alighieri, A Fracchiolla

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart , Rome , Italy.

Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology : the Journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
|June 13, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Implementing complete intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is crucial for preventing neonatal infections. This protocol ensures no infected newborns when mothers receive adequate IAP, regardless of risk factors.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Infectious Disease Prevention

Background:

  • Group B Streptococcus (GBS) poses a significant risk to newborns born to colonized mothers.
  • Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) is a key strategy to prevent GBS transmission.
  • Variations in IAP protocols may impact neonatal outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To validate the effectiveness of a specific care protocol for managing infants born to mothers colonized with GBS.
  • To assess the impact of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) on invasive GBS infections in newborns.
  • To identify key factors influencing GBS infection rates in neonates.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective cohort study of newborns admitted between May 2006 and December 2009 at A. Gemelli University Hospital.
  • Analysis of GBS colonization status in mothers and management according to the hospital's care protocol.
  • Evaluation of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) adequacy and its correlation with neonatal GBS infection.

Main Results:

  • No newborns of mothers who received complete IAP developed invasive GBS infection.
  • The incidence of invasive GBS infection was 0.4% in infants of GBS-colonized mothers and 2.2% in infants of mothers with unknown GBS status.
  • Only 17.4% of infants born to GBS-colonized mothers had identifiable risk factors, highlighting the importance of universal IAP.

Conclusions:

  • Complete IAP for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) should be administered universally to all pregnant women, irrespective of identified risk factors.
  • The established care protocol, emphasizing correct IAP execution, effectively manages newborns of GBS-colonized mothers.
  • Gestational age under 35 weeks is a primary risk factor to consider in GBS management protocols.

Keywords:
Early onset diseaseGBSprematurityprophylaxis

More Related Videos

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage10:36

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

21.0K
Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats07:36

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

Published on: November 20, 2015

10.5K

Related Concept Videos

Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
65
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from...
61
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within...
90
Development of Immunocompetence01:22

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
1.2K