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Intrapartum antibiotic exposure for group B Streptococcus treatment did not increase penicillin allergy in children

Sara M May1, Martha F Hartz1, Avni Y Joshi1

  • 1Division of Allergic Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.

Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology : Official Publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
|January 28, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Intrapartum penicillin exposure for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) prevention does not increase a child's risk of developing a penicillin allergy. This finding reassures parents and clinicians regarding GBS prophylaxis.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Health
  • Infectious Disease Prevention
  • Clinical Allergy

Background:

  • Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a primary cause of neonatal infectious morbidity and mortality in the US.
  • Intrapartum antibiotic administration, primarily penicillin, is standard for GBS prevention.
  • Prior research suggests a link between intrapartum antibiotics and non-allergy atopic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between intrapartum penicillin exposure for GBS and the subsequent development of penicillin allergy in children.
  • To clarify the risk of penicillin allergy following GBS prophylaxis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of a birth cohort born in 2007 at a tertiary care hospital.
  • Data collection included maternal GBS status, intrapartum antibiotic exposure, delivery mode, and birth order.
  • Analysis focused on identifying children with reported penicillin allergy.

Main Results:

  • Of 804 children analyzed, 10% reported penicillin allergy.
  • Intrapartum penicillin exposure (OR 0.84) or amoxicillin/ampicillin exposure (OR 0.22) did not elevate the risk of penicillin allergy.
  • No evaluated factors, including delivery mode or birth order, influenced penicillin allergy risk.

Conclusions:

  • This study is the first to assess intrapartum penicillin for GBS and its effect on childhood penicillin allergy.
  • Unlike other atopic diseases, intrapartum antibiotic exposure does not appear to alter penicillin allergy risk.
  • Clinicians and parents can be confident in using penicillin for neonatal GBS prevention.
Abstract

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