[Characteristics of group b streptococcus vertical transmission]

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Neonatal Health
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal sepsis.
• Vertical transmission from mother to infant during childbirth poses significant risks.
• Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis is a key strategy to prevent GBS disease in newborns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis in preventing vertical transmission of GBS.
• To analyze GBS characteristics in pregnant women receiving or not receiving prophylaxis.
• To evaluate neonatal outcomes in relation to maternal antibiotic administration.

Main Methods:

• Included 330 women with risk factors for GBS neonatal disease.
• Vaginal GBS colonization assessed by conventional culture.
• Clinical and microbiological follow-up of mothers and neonates.

Main Results:

• GBS detected in 11.2% of women; 56.8% received intrapartum antibiotics.
• Neonatal GBS infection (positive blood culture) occurred in 4.8% of infants from mothers with antibiotics vs. 25% from mothers without (not significant).
• Clinically suspected sepsis (negative blood cultures) was significantly higher in infants of mothers without antibiotics (30.4% vs. 5.6%).

Conclusions:

• Offering antibiotic prophylaxis to identified GBS carriers is the most effective strategy.
• Antibiotic administration based solely on "obstetric risks" may be less effective due to timing issues.
• Targeted prophylaxis for GBS carriers minimizes vertical transmission and improves neonatal outcomes.