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Challenge your knowledge: How does Group B Streptococcus affect newborn health?
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is present in many people's lives, often inhabiting the digestive and reproductive tracts harmlessly. However, for newborns, this seemingly harmless bacteria can become a deadly health threat. As the medical community's understanding of GBS gradually deepens, many studies have revealed its importance in the health of pregnant women and their newborns. This article will delve into the impact of GBS and related preventive measures, allowing you to re-understand this type of bacteria.
What is Group B Streptococcus (GBS)?
Group B Streptococcus agalactiae is a Gram-positive bacterium commonly found in the intestines and vagina of healthy adults. The "agalactiae" in its full name means "without milk" because in some cases it can cause mastitis in dairy cows. In humans, GBS is an important pathogen in neonatal infections, especially in pregnant women during the prenatal and postpartum periods.
According to research, GBS can expose newborns to many threats, including sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis.
Infection and pathogenesis of GBS
Most healthy adults will carry GBS as asymptomatic carriers, however the infection rate increases significantly during pregnancy. It is estimated that approximately 18% of pregnant women worldwide carry GBS, and these strains have the potential to be transmitted to their babies during delivery. GBS can be transmitted from mother to newborn through intrauterine or intrapartum contact, resulting in two types of clinical disease, early-onset disease (EOD) and late-onset disease (LOD).
Early-onset disease usually occurs within 7 days of birth, with most cases occurring within 24 hours of birth. These severe infections can lead to high mortality.
Comparison of early and late onset disease
The most common symptoms of early onset disease (EOD) include sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis. Late-onset disease (LOD) usually occurs between seven days and three months after birth, when the source of infection may come from the mother or other environmental sources. Compared with EOD, the incidence of LOD is relatively stable and usually causes more serious consequences, such as hearing loss or neurological sequelae.
GBS infection not only affects newborns but can also cause severe invasive infections in adults, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems.
Prevent GBS infection of newborns
To effectively prevent early-onset disease, antenatal antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) is currently the only reliable method. Antibiotic use should be started at least four hours before delivery, and all pregnant women who meet guidelines should be screened for GBS. According to CDC recommendations, screening should be performed at 36 to 37 weeks of pregnancy to ensure accurate detection of GBS carriers.
IAP should be considered when the mother exhibits specific risk factors, regardless of her GBS carrier status.
There is no effective vaccine
Although IAP significantly reduces the risk of early-onset disease, there is currently no effective vaccine to prevent late-onset disease. Researchers are developing GBS-based vaccines in the hope of providing effective protection for at-risk adults and infants.
Follow-up thoughts
In Bearing the unforeseen consequences of Group B Streptococcus, what steps can we take to ensure better awareness and prevention for families expecting a newborn?
