Patient education: Group B strep in babies (The Basics)

What is group B strep? — 

Group B strep, or "GBS," is short for "group B streptococcus." It is a type of bacteria that can cause infection.

If a person has GBS in their body during pregnancy, they can pass it on to their baby. In most cases, GBS is passed to the baby during labor and birth. Rarely, it can be passed to the baby before or after birth. Doctors recommend pregnant people get tested for GBS. Then, if needed, they can get treatment to help lower the risk of passing the bacteria on to their baby.

For babies, a GBS infection can be serious. Symptoms usually start in the first few weeks to months after birth.

What are the symptoms of GBS? — 

Symptoms depend on which parts of the body are infected.

The most common type of GBS infection is called "sepsis." This is an infection in the blood. It is a serious illness that affects the whole body. Symptoms of sepsis can include:

●Fever – But some babies have a low or normal body temperature instead.

●Trouble breathing, or fast breathing

●Feeding less than usual

●Vomiting

●Jaundice – This is when a baby's skin or white part of the eye turns yellow.

●Sleeping more than usual

●Fingertips and lips looking slightly blue or gray

GBS can also cause infections in other parts of the body, including:

●Lung infection (called "pneumonia") – This usually causes breathing problems.

●Brain infection (called "meningitis") – Symptoms are similar to the symptoms of sepsis. Babies with meningitis might also be very fussy or have an outward bulge at the soft spot on the top of their head. In severe cases, babies can have seizures.

●Skin infection (called "cellulitis") – This can cause an area of the skin to be painful, red, swollen, or warm. The most common areas are the face, under the chin, or around the stump where the umbilical cord was cut.

●Bone infections (called "osteomyelitis") and joint infections (called "septic arthritis") – Symptoms include some of the symptoms of sepsis. Babies with these infections might also show signs of pain when the infected arm or leg is moved, or they might move the infected arm or leg less than the other.

Is there a test for GBS? — 

Yes. If your baby has signs of infection, their doctor or nurse will do an exam. They will ask you questions about the pregnancy, labor, and birth. They will also do tests, such as:

●Blood tests – This includes a "blood culture," which is a test to check for bacteria in the blood.

●Lumbar puncture, also called a "spinal tap" – A doctor puts a thin needle in the lower back and removes a small amount of spinal fluid. This is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. They do lab tests on the sample.

●X-rays or other imaging tests – These tests create pictures of the inside of the body. They can tell the doctor if your baby has an infection in their lung, joint, or bone.

●Urine tests – This might involve using a thin tube called a "catheter" to get a sample of the baby's urine. The sample can be checked for bacteria.

How is GBS treated? — 

Babies are treated in the hospital. Treatment involves giving antibiotics through an "IV," which is a thin tube that goes into a vein. The baby might need to get antibiotics for 10 to 28 days, depending on how severe the infection is.

While in the hospital, your baby might also need other medical care, like fluids through an IV, or help with breathing.

Can GBS be prevented? — 

Yes. When a person is pregnant, doctors can take samples of different body fluids to test, or "screen," for GBS. This is done between 36 and 38 weeks of pregnancy.

Anyone who has GBS in their body will get antibiotics during labor to treat the bacteria. It is still possible for the baby to get infected. But this lowers the chances of passing the bacteria on to the baby during labor and birth.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Rarely, GBS can come back after treatment. If this happens, your baby will need to go back to the hospital to get more treatment. Call your doctor or nurse right away if your baby has any signs of infection, like the symptoms listed above.

More on this topic

Patient education: Group B strep and pregnancy (The Basics)
Patient education: Group B strep screening (The Basics)
Patient education: Sepsis in newborn babies (The Basics)
Patient education: Pneumonia in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Meningitis in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Cellulitis and erysipelas (skin infections) (The Basics)
Patient education: Osteomyelitis in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Septic arthritis (The Basics)
Patient education: Blood culture (The Basics)
Patient education: Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) (The Basics)
Patient education: Urine culture (The Basics)

Patient education: Group B streptococcus and pregnancy (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Meningitis in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Skin and soft tissue infection (cellulitis) (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Joint infection (Beyond the Basics)