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Updated: Jun 1, 2025
A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization
Published on: November 16, 2016
Maternal and neonatal outcomes of Group B Streptococcus colonization: a retrospective study
Guixiu Jin1, Lanhua Liu1, Xiaolong Wang2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taixing People's Hospital, No.1, Changzheng Road, Taixing, Jiangsu, 225400, China.
Insights
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization in pregnant women is linked to increased fetal distress and adverse neonatal outcomes. Diabetes may be a risk factor for GBS colonization, impacting newborn health.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Neonatal Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization poses a significant risk for severe neonatal infections.
- Identifying GBS colonization in pregnant individuals is crucial for understanding and mitigating neonatal risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of GBS colonization in pregnant women.
- To explore potential risk factors associated with GBS colonization.
- To analyze the impact of GBS colonization on maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of pregnant women screened for GBS between 35-37 weeks gestation using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
- Collection of clinical data and outcomes for mothers and newborns.
- Statistical analysis (chi-square and logistic regression) to assess risk factors and outcomes.
Main Results:
- GBS positivity rate was 10.63% among screened pregnant women.
- Diabetic pregnant women exhibited a higher likelihood of GBS colonization.
- Maternal GBS colonization was significantly associated with fetal distress and adverse neonatal outcomes, including sepsis, low Apgar scores, pneumonia, and hyperbilirubinemia.
Conclusions:
- Diabetes identified as a potential risk factor for maternal GBS colonization.
- Maternal GBS colonization correlated with increased neonatal adverse outcomes but not adverse maternal outcomes in this study.
Background:
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization is one of the major causes of severe neonatal infections. The study was intended to identify GBS colonization in pregnant women, explore its potential risk factors, and analyze the impact of GBS on outcomes for both mothers and newborns.
Material And Methods:
A retrospective research was carried out on pregnant women who had undergone GBS screening and delivered from June 2020 to December 2022. Pregnant women between 35 and 37 weeks of gestation had GBS screening using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The clinical characteristics and outcomes of mothers and newborns were collected. The risk factors linked to maternal GBS colonization and its impact on adverse outcomes for mothers and neonates were assessed using chi-square and logistic regression analyses. The composite neonatal adverse outcomes included low Apgar scores, neonatal pneumonia, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, neonatal sepsis, or low birth weight.
Results:
Overall, the rate of GBS positivity was 10.63% (551/5183), and the rate of maternal GBS screening was 88.4%. Diabetic pregnant women were more likely to become colonized with GBS. Our research revealed that GBS carriers experienced higher rates of fetal distress and neonatal adverse outcomes than non-GBS carriers. Fetal distress (OR, 1.940; 95% CI, 1.355 to 2.778, P < 0.001), neonatal sepsis (OR, 5.063; 95% CI, 2.536-10.109, P < 0.001), low Apgar scores (OR, 2.097; 95% CI, 1.184-3.715, P = 0.011), neonatal pneumonia (OR, 1.638; 95% CI, 1.039 to 2.582, P = 0.034) and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (OR, 1.438; 95% CI, 1.080 to 1.915, P = 0.013) were significantly related to maternal GBS colonization. When we used the composite adverse neonatal outcomes as the dependent variable and analyzed the influencing factors, the logistic regression analysis revealed that GBS colonization was still significantly related to an elevated risk of adverse neonatal outcomes (OR = 1.752, 95% CI, 1.389-2.208; P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Diabetes may be a risk factor for maternal GBS colonization. Moreover, in this study, GBS colonization correlated with neonatal adverse outcomes but not with maternal outcomes.
